Changing Skies

Chapters

Chapter 1 - Setting the Stakes
Chapter 2 - An Unexpected Rescue
Chapter 3 - Mysteries of the Future
Chapter 4 - Sleepless Night
Chapter 5 - Following The Trail
Chapter 6 - Sunrise Street
Chapter 7 - Crystal Clear
Chapter 8 - Coming Around
Chapter 9 - Acceptance

Chapter 1 - Setting the Stakes

Below the mountain upon which Zephyr Heights was built, a young pegasus mare was making her way out, trying to create some distance from the big city life. The orange colored mare was saddled with two very full saddlebags, and a pack draped over her back. She was excited to get out and get camping, as it was a great way for her to relax her mind, and forget about the struggles of life. Her white dipped hooves almost danced, such was her excitement, though with all the weight she could not actually dance. She didn’t mind though. It’d be a couple hours of hiking, to get to a grassy area where she could set up her tent and start a warm fire.

That was probably her favorite part. Starting the campfire. Something about watching it crackle as it burned soothed her greatly. She dreaded having to put the tent up, simply because it had to be done before getting the fire going. And she REALLY wanted to get the fire going. She did have treats in her bag just for roasting over the fire, but that was minor compared to the blaze itself.

She hiked and hiked, and finally, she reached grass. Now it was just a matter of finding a good spot. She’d likely stay out here for the next three days, as that’s what her supplies would allow, then she’d hike back. But for now, the fresh air, none of the bright, flashy screens of the city, and the beautiful, starry nights was something she yearned for. And maybe, just maybe, it’d give her that mental break from her job.

There was a spot right next to a hill, and she decided that would be perfect. Heading over to it, she shrugged off her saddlebags and pack, and stretched her wings for a moment, happy to be rid of the weight. Her yellow eyes glanced at the packs, and she started digging for her equipment.

She found the stakes, the rope, and the tent itself, and pulled them out. She could just use her hoof to put in the stakes. She’d done it many times before. She stretched the tent out on the ground and fed the rope through it, readying it for the stakes that she would soon place. Brushing some of red mane from her eyes, she set to work.

The first stake went in without issue. Same with the second and third, putting them in across from each other as best she could. She looked over at where her campfire would be, looking longingly at the spot as she wished it were there now. With a sigh, she lifted the final stake, and readied it.

She started pounding the stake into the ground with her hoof just like the others, but after a moment, it stopped. She stared for a moment, thinking she might not be putting in enough force, and tried to put more force into it. However, that didn’t seem to help at all. Confused, she pulled the stake back out, and pawed at the dirt with her hooves, hoping to dig up whatever was stopping her stake.

After a few moments of digging around, she found the culprit. A shard. Something hard. Likely some sort of piece from another camper or wanderer from a while back. She didn’t think much of it, and set it to the side.

She placed her stake again, and pounded it into the ground, this time it went in a lot more smoothly than it had before. Satisfied, she turned, ready to start making a campfire.

There wasn’t much to speak of in the way of wood, but she did find some, and brought it to her site. Carefully, she pawed at the dirt with a hoof, making a circular indent in the ground, and placed the firewood there.

One thing she did not like to do was trying to start the fire without a lighter. One of the nicer things about technology. She didn’t have to gruel and rub a stick on stones or any of that other nonsense. With a flick, she had a tiny flame. She’d packed some easily flammable material that would catch easy, and get the wood burning.

Now she could be content. With the fire started, and the sky starting to darken, she smiled. Finally away from all the problems she had on a daily basis, she would, and fully intended to, forget about all of her troubles and get to enjoying some nice campfire treats. However, as she was pulling out her goodies, the shard from earlier glinted in the light out of the corner of her eye, catching her attention. Curious, she turned her focus to it.

She couldn’t see what it was all that well, when she picked it up. It didn’t look like much. It was a dirty piece of metal, most likely bronze by the appearance. It almost appeared to have some etching or writing on it, which made her curious.

She decided that in order to get a better view, she had to clean it off. She wiped it off with a hoof, and as she did so, got an odd tingling sensation. She stopped at this, and stared at the object curiously. She briefly wondered to herself if this was something older, and wondered if it would make any money if she were to try and auction it to a collector. There were places she could do that online easily. Frowning, she rubbed the shard more, hoping to get a clearer picture of what exactly she was looking at.

The tingling sensation returned, but she ignored it, not thinking much of it. Until it grew more intense, then the shard started glowing. She decided she should stop, but she didn’t stop fast enough, as the glow became brighter almost instantaneously, and there was a blinding flash, suddenly making her gasp and yelp. She heard a weird popping noise as her eyes shut tight, and suddenly, she blacked out, feeling dizzy as she did so.

When the pegasus awoke, she definitely was not at a campsite. She picked herself up and blinked a few times, thinking her eyes were playing tricks on her, but when they focused more, she could see that around her were what appeared to be ruins of some sort. Further looking around, she could see old, deteriorated banners, crumbled walls, and she noticed that underneath her was not soft grass, but cold, hard stone. “What the…” she questioned, looking around. Several cobwebs lined the place in several spots, and there were hallways with suits of armor, unlike anything she had seen before. “What is this place? Am I dreaming?” She poked herself. “Definitely not dreaming… but what…? I’ve never seen any place like this. Is somepony around?” She called, confused. The ruins echoed her voice, but she didn’t seem to get a response. She let out a sigh. “How in the world? Was I foalnapped? I’m not even a foal! Who would be messing with me?”

“How did you get here?” a male voice asked, echoing in the dilapidated halls.

The mare jumped upon hearing the voice, not having seen anyone around. “W-what???” she questioned, becoming terrified. “Who’s there!? What do you want with me?!?”

After a few moments light seemed to bleed away from where it streamed in from the sun outside and collected into a vaguely pony shaped form… a pony with bat-like wings and cat-like eyes flickered into existence, wearing dark violet armor. A golden shackle glinted about his left foreleg. If one looked, it was possible to look through him. “My name is Shadow Sentry… I guard these ruins and guide lost ponies out of the forest.”

“EEP!” the mare shrieked, backpedaling. “A ghost?! They’re real?!?”

“Yes.” Shadow replied. “I lost my life many, many, many countless moons ago. I failed at my duty in life, so I hope to fulfill it in death. To protect others. Are you lost..?”

Upon seeing no hostility, she steeled herself, though still very wary. “I-I don’t know. I just… I was camping and… now I’m here… and… why am I talking to a ghost?” she stammered.

“I’m not sure.” Shadow Sentry admitted. “I saw the flash of light, but unfortunately with no body, I’m not capable of properly sensing a lot of the magical environment around me. Despite ponies being quite magical creatures in life, in death our magical abilities are quite limited. I was hoping you might know more about what that was.”

“Magic?” the mare questioned. “That’s something I’ve never experienced… I was just… I found this… thing…” she looked around, wondering if it was nearby. She found it near where she awoke, and picked it up. “It’s… not glowing any more.”

The spectral bat pony approached and leaned in for a closer look. “It looks old, even by my standards… I’d suggest perhaps something from the early pre-Equestrian days… But it definitely appears to be pony made. That inscription looks like Old Ponish.”

“Old ponish…?” The mare questioned, having almost forgotten that her company was but a spirit. “Pre-Equestrian days? What do you mean?”

At this, Shadow Sentry gave the mare a confused look. “Well… The Kingdom of Equestria has stood for around two thousand years now… you currently stand in its former castle, known as the Castle of the Two Sisters… the site of my failure to Princess Luna.”

“Princess… Luna?” the mare said, now even more confused. “What about Queen Haven?”

“I am afraid I know not of any Queen by that name.” Shadow admitted, his ears folding back. “It is possible that whatever this artifact is may have transported you far from home. I don’t leave these woods often, so I’m very out of touch with the rest of the world.”

“Transported me? How could that happen?” the mare almost demanded. “Where even is this castle?”

“Near the heart of the Everfree Forest, south of Ponyville.” Shadow replied. “I can guide you there, if you wish. It would be dangerous to wander these woods alone and with no sense of direction.”

“I… don’t recognize any of those names.” The mare deadpanned. “Am I even on the same continent?”

“I wouldn’t know.” Shadow admitted. “I was born and raised, lived, and perished in Equestria, it’s all I’ve ever known.”

“I guess… getting out of here… would be a good idea.” She finally said with a sigh. “No offense, but finding somepony alive might help. Somepony who knows wherever the heck here is.”

“The living generally prefer the company of the living. I am not offended.” Shadow said before moving towards one of the halls leading off from the room they were in. “Follow me, I will show you the way.”

“I can’t believe I’m following a ghost.” the mare muttered. “This has to be a dream.”

“It’s no dream.” he replied as he looked back. “What’s your name? I’ve given you mine.”

“Errr… Sky… Set. Skyset.” she said, unsurely at first.

“Pretty name for a young pegasus. I like it.” he said as he turned a corner. The ended up in a long hall with a set of stairs leading up at one end and a door to the other.

“But… aren’t you a pegasus?” She questioned. “Kinda weird looking for a pegasus, now that I bring that up, but still.”

“No.” He replied. “I’m a chiro pony. Although many call us bat ponies.” he replied, looking curiously to the mare. “...my kind aren’t familiar to you?”

“Cheeriyo pony?” the mare questioned. “Nope. Never heard of a pony named after cereal.”

“You uh… added a few sounds in there.” he noted. He walked up to and phased through the large door. He poked his head back through after a moment. “You might have to push this a bit.” he noted before disappearing through it again.

The mare sighed and walked up to the door, doing exactly that. It creaked loudly, and she winced as her ears splayed against her head. “So I don’t get it.” she called after a moment. “Why was this place abandoned and left to get like this?”

“It’s a long story…” Shadow Sentry said, looking back as he continued to walk towards a bridge over a chasm. “Long ago, Princess Luna had a bit of a… she did something terrible… it turned her into a monster. Her older sister was forced to engage her in battle. Things are better now… but I suspect that between this being a somewhat remote and dangerous region and the heartache this castle likely brings Princess Celestia, she likely didn’t want to stay here anymore. They’d had a new castle in the works before the fight and they now both reside there.”

“Huh.” Skyset said. “Talk about a family feud…”

“That was the night I lost my life. A part of the castle had collapsed atop me.” Shadow admitted. “I was Princess Luna’s guard… I should’ve seen the warning signs. I should’ve talked to her… stopped her… something. I realize there’s likely little I could’ve done, but there is always that part of me that wonders how things could have been different.”

“What a way to go…” the mare winced. “Musta hurt.”

“Broke probably every bone in my body. I lived for maybe a couple of hours afterwards.” he said. “But… let’s not dwell on that.” he noted as he reached the bridge. “You might want to fly over, I’m not one for rickety bridges myself. Not that it really matters for me.” he noted, walking across. The bridge didn’t react in the slightest to his presence, as if he were weightless.

“Err… I… can’t fly.” the mare said weakly. “Wait, nopony can fly! Why would you even suggest that?!” She demanded.

“I… beg your pardon?” he asked in confusion. “My apologies, I didn’t mean to offend. I hadn’t realized you were disabled.” he said sheepishly.

“D-disabled?!?” the mare questioned. “The unicorns and earth ponies stole our magic! We haven’t been able to fly for literally years! Everypony knows only the royal family has the power of flight.”

“When a winged pony can’t fly, that’s generally considered a disability. Usually a tragedy.” Shadow Sentry admitted. “It would be like a unicorn who couldn’t cast spells… I daresay, perhaps worse. I assure you Earth Ponies and Unicorns have done no such thing.”

Skyset blinked. “W-well of course they did! They have magic and we don’t! Where else would it have gone!?”

“If that is what you believe, you will get quite the shock when we arrive in Ponyville.” Shadow Sentry replied simply.

“Is that where we’re going?” she questioned once she was across the bridge. “Tell me! What’s so special about this place?”

“It’s the nearest major settlement, and the home of Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Shadow replied. “You’ll see the pegasi who live there certainly have their magic.”

“What?!?” Skyset exclaimed. “But how?!? Have they been hiding out?”

“It isn’t exactly hidden, it’s on a major train route.” Shadow suggested. “For a fellow pony, you seem awfully unfamiliar with Equestria… are you perhaps from another land?”

“I’ll have you know I’m from the pegasus capital! Zephyr Heights!” she harrumphed.

“Pegasus capital…” Shadow muttered. “Largest cloud city in Equestria is Cloudsdale, but even then they’re a part of Equestria.”

“Just what are you on about?!?” The mare said, even more confused now. “Cloud city?!?”

“A city built in the sky, by pegasi. Home to the Cloudsdale weather factory. I’m not that up on recent events, but I’m definitely familiar with that.” Shadow said simply.

“It sounds like utter nonsense.” the mare sighed. “Are you sure you didn’t suffer any brain damage when that building crushed you?”

“I don’t have a brain to be damaged, now do I?” he asked, not looking back as he continued. “Though I am wondering about you. Perhaps whatever brought you here has had some side effects. You’ll definitely want to consult Princess Twilight about it.”

“I… you…” the mare blinked, then stopped. “Fine. I hope she knows something. I’ve never heard of her, though. What makes you think she’ll even see me? Do you know how hard getting an audience with royalty is?”

“Princess Twilight is an incredibly friendly mare. She visits the Ponyville Market in the mornings, and will often mingle with the locals. She’s also quite studious, given the sheer number of times she’s visited the Castle of The Two Sisters just to read what the library has to offer. Between that and her special talent in magic… if anyone’s able to determine what happened to you, it will likely be her.” the ghostly bat pony replied confidently.

“I hope you’re right.” the mare said, following the stallion hesitantly.

“...and that’s why mayonnaise and peanut butter weren’t meant to go together.” Pinkie Pie explained.

“Pinkie anypony could’ve told you that’s a weird idea.” Starlight Glimmer replied matter-of-factly.

“Really? So I didn’t need to make and try sandwiches with different types of mayonnaise and peanut butter looking for the worst combination?” Pinkie questioned, sounding disappointed.

“I... you what? No. Why would you… oh nevermind.” Starlight groaned.

“It’s the only way to-knoww… ooohoohohhoooo!” Pinkie suddenly started jittering.

“Uh… Pinkie Pie, what are you doing?” Starlight asked, turning to look at the vibrating earth pony. “Are you… okay? Maybe a little too okay?”

“N-no! I mean… yes! I… it’s a doozy!” Pinkie said excitedly, calming down for a moment.

“A… what now?” Starlight asked.

“Doozy! Pinkie Sense! Something big…!” Pinkie proclaimed. “I haven’t had one of those in a while…”

“Please tell me we’re not about to be assaulted by more interdimensional magic draining aliens or something…” Starlight pleaded. She knew better than to question Pinkie Pie and her weirdness.

“No, no, that’s a catastrophe. Totally different!” Pinkie said dismissively. She tilted her head. “Hm… I should go check on the cakes! Maybe something’s happened over there!”

“Alright…” Starlight said as Pinkie galloped out of the room. She prepared to shelve the last of the stack of books Twilight had asked her to organize when suddenly she felt something. Her senses screamed at her and she nearly dropped the book she was holding as her brain scrambled to try and make any sense of it.

What was this feeling? Why was it familiar?

Then, it hit Starlight like a sack of bricks. “Time Magic.” she breathed. She’d hoped to never feel that again. Not after the things she’d seen. After what she’d almost caused. Not after her punishment from Chronus for abusing it. She left the stack unshelved as she bolted from the room. “Gotta find Twilight… gotta find Twilight…”

A purple dragon found himself spinning as Starlight Glimmer raced past him, causing him to drop his mop. “Starlight? Hey! Where’s the fire!?” he demanded.

Starlight skidded to a halt outside Twilight Sparkle’s personal study before shoving the door open.

The purple alicorn let out a surprised scream as the book she was holding fell out of her magical grasp. “S-Starlight! E-ever hear of knocking?”

Starlight glanced between the book and Twilight for a few seconds. Ignoring the blushing alicorn and her questionable taste in adult novels she shook her head. “You didn’t feel that?”

“...feel… what? The only thing I feel right now is a little bit like my personal time is being violated.” Twilight said, quickly closing the book and stashing it in a drawer. “What’s gotten into you?”

“Time magic.” Starlight said sharply. “Somepony used it! I can feel it… Or did feel it…”

Twilight raised an eyebrow at that. She’d felt nothing. “Starlight, maybe you’re just imagining things… I know you had some bad nights after our… incident…”

“I am not imagining things, and those were not just nightmares!” Starlight said pleadingly.

“The scroll is gone, Starlight. We both saw it vanish into the portal. The only other time magic anypony might know is pretty limited. Even I can only go back for about four and half minutes, and even then only about a week. I’m sure whatever it is is fine.” Twilight said dismissively. “You’re too stressed.”

“Too… stressed… the scroll was gone because Chronus took it!” Starlight said flatly. “To make sure I could never use it again… or anypony for that matter. Look… Twilight, I know what I’m feeling… you believe me, don’t you?”

Twilight sighed. “I believe you think something’s wrong… but if something were, wouldn’t other ponies be on it by now?”

“If you didn’t sense it, what makes you think other ponies are going to be looking? What if something bad is about to happen?” Starlight asked.

Twilight stood from behind her desk and walked past Starlight to the door. “I’m going to get some tea, feel free to join me. After that, why don’t you go join Fluttershy and help her out for a while? It might do you some good to get some fresh air.”

“Chronus. Did you sense it?” asked a hooded figure.

“Yes, Tempus.” the small glowing golden ball of light replied.

“Should we…”

“Do not interfere.” Chronus said simply. “...these events were meant to be.”

“She’s from quite a ways into the future… that knowledge would be dangerous to the ponies for the present if… I… I mean… if Twilight were to learn too much…”

“The traveler knows little of her own past. What knowledge Twilight could gain may be inconsequential. However… the knowledge of the traveler may prove useful one day. I see no reason to interfere. This is harmless.”

“Should we not help her?” Tempus questioned.

“No.” Chronus replied. “She will help herself. If anything prevents her from returning when the time is right, we will intervene then. Not a moment sooner, and not under any other circumstances.”

“I see… Starlight appears concerned.” Tempus noted.

“Let Starlight Glimmer be concerned.” Chronus replied. “I am happy to see her respecting things rather than desecrating them and using them as some foal’s toy to her own petty revenge.”

“A bit… harsh… don’t you think?” Tempus questioned.

“You saw the destruction she caused. I think it’s a perfectly apt way to put it. Still, she has learned from her mistakes. That is what is important in the end.” Chronus said simply. “In the meantime, I want you in 1302 HE. We have an unwanted time traveler who’s about to interfere in her own past. Send her back to her own time or kill her, one of the two. Preferably the former rather than the latter.”

Tempus felt the time stream flow through her and frowned. “I see her… and for personal wealth… she would doom many families to poverty with what she plans… I will go at once.”

The trees gave way to grassy fields as the spectral stallion stopped and sat on his haunches. “Go there, and seek Princess Twilight.” he said, looking to the pegasus mare. He pointed a hoof towards the edge of Ponyville. If one looked closely, the clouds were being arranged by colorful dots in the sky.

“Huh. Seems a bit primitive.” Skyset said, looking on. “That big sparkly tree thing?”

“That is her castle, yes.” Shadow said, gesturing with a wing. He was grateful that light meant nothing to his eyes. He could only imagine what it’d be like looking at it with actual bat pony eyes.

“A-alright.” The mare said. “Uh… thanks.” she said, then started forward. She turned to properly make eye contact, only to see him vanish before her very eyes. “Right. Ghost.” She let out a sigh and set for the town proper.

Author's Note

Since it isn't well explained in the story itself, as this story wasn't originally intended for public release, I wanted to give some insight on some lore elements for this universe.

First thing is Shadow Sentry, the spirit seen at the beginning. It's noted that he has a shackle on his hoof. When a spirit has a shackle, it represents a ghost's tether to the world. They can be iron or gold, generally, and mean different things. Iron represents something holding the spirit back from moving on to the afterlife. Gold is rarer, and represents that the spirit is staying behind for some noble cause.

Secondly, Chronus. Who is she?
Chronus is the spirit of time who oversees time and ensures it goes the correct path. Her objective is to avoid timelines in which the universe ends. She has no true form, but often manifests herself as a breezie with a white coat, with a golden mane and tail, and golden eyes. Her eyes are notably featureless.

And finally, who is Tempus?
Tempus, otherwise known as Tempus Sparkle, or sometimes even "Twilidox", is a version of Twilight Sparkle from another timeline. After erasing her own timeline, she continues to exist as Chronus' assistant. The magenta star of her cutie mark is instead gold, along with the magenta stripe in her mane and tail. Her eyes are also a golden color instead of their traditional purple color. Additionaly, her cutie mark also features a white lemniscate in the middle of the large star.

I co-write a lot of stories with my husband, who is responsible for a lot of the lore in them. I do hope that in the future we'll be able to share a lot more of what we've written together, which would also explain a lot of the lore of this universe. But for now, since this is so far the only story of this universe being made public at this time, I thought providing some insight was warranted.

Chapter 2 - An Unexpected Rescue

Skyset set hoof forward and began to walk into the town. “Just find this… Princess Whomever and all will be right. Sounds almost too simple.” the mare said, shaking her head. As she began to step hoof on the roads however, she noticed something odd. The very thing she’d been taught her whole life were evil… were everywhere. Earth ponies and unicorns were on every street, and almost around every corner. She wanted nothing more than to turn and run. But they didn’t seem to have noticed her yet. If she ran, she’d raise suspicion. Furthermore, she wondered in her mind. Did the earth ponies and unicorns work together to take the pegasus magic away? But that ghost told her that they could fly, and she could see several others in the sky. Just what kind of place was this?!?

She kept to herself, usually attempting to avoid anywhere that had a lot of earth ponies and unicorns. “To the castle, to the castle, to the castle, nothing weird here! Nope!” she muttered to herself.

As she walked a mint colored unicorn caught sight of her. “Hey there!” she said with a wave.

“Um… h-hi!” Skyset said, though she pressed her wings closer to her side and picked up her pace a bit. “Freakin’ unicorns tryna’ get in my head. THAT must be why all the others are here. I’ll bet the unicorns are controlling them.” she muttered.

As the mare trotted off, the unicorn stood there. “...what a strange pony. Ah well! Off to find Bonnie’s favorite flowers.”

Finally she reached the castle. She let out a sigh, as if holding a breath she didn’t know she was holding. When she reached the doors, there didn’t appear to be any guards, like one would expect. “Do I just… knock?” she questioned, and then knocked on the door. “I don’t know. This… everything is so…. Odd!”

After a moment the door slid open, revealing a small purple and green dragon standing on the other side. “Casa de Twilight, what can we do for you today?” the dragon asked in a playful tone.

The mare yelped, not expecting what she saw on the other side of the door. She quickly caught herself, taking deep breaths. Okay… uh… the ghost wasn’t so bad… maybe this isn’t either! She thought to herself.

“Uhh… I was… told to… find a… Twilight?” she said weakly, trying not to panic.

“Then you’ve come to the right place!” the dragon said, stepping aside. “I’m Spike, by the way. She’s currently having lunch… I can throw you together a sandwich too, if you want.”

“Ah… no… that’s uh… alright.” She said. So far so good… hopefully… she thought again.

“You sure? We’ve got fresh cucumber.” Spike suggested as he made his way for the stairs.

“Ahh… yep! Sure!” She said in what she hoped was a positive tone.

The dragon continued up the stairs. “Suit yourself.” he said nonchalantly. “This way please!” he called. He sometimes liked to pretend he was some big important castle staff. Okay maybe he technically was castle staff, but pretending it was some job made the mundane feel a little more special.

The mare followed wordlessly, trying not to freak herself out. Everything would be fine. The… ghost… reassured her.

As the dragon lead her, they eventually stopped at a door where he knocked.

“Come in..!” a voice called from within.

That was all the dragon needed as he pushed the door open. “Presenting, Princess Twilight.” he said, gesturing to the purple pony behind the desk.

Twilight looked up in confusion. “We have a guest? Oh! Hello there!”

Skyset wanted to freak out immediately. The horn was prominent on the other mare’s head. But at the same time, she also… had wings? How did that work? Was she or wasn’t she a unicorn? Just what was this mare?

Twilight’s ears folded back. “Is… something wrong? I know I need to dust in here…” she trailed off, wondering if the state of her study was off putting. She had a tendency to let things get a little behind when it came to tidiness in this particular room.

“Y-you have a horn. And wings!” Skyset said. “H-how does that work?!?”

Twilight blinked. “Uh… huh? What do you mean? Like… how did I get them… or?”

“Are you a unicorn? Or a pegasus?” she asked. “Because I can’t tell.”

“I’m an alicorn.” Twilight replied. “I have a unicorn horn, pegasus wings, and the natural magic of an earth pony.” she explained. “... you’re… not familiar with alicorns? Surely you know of Princess Celestia…”

Skyset tilted her head. “Princess who?” She’d remembered the ghost talking about that very same name, but in her mind, not a definitive on who that actually was.

Twilight stared in disbelief. How could anypony not know who Princess Celestia was? “You… don’t know?”

“I only know of two princesses, and neither one of em have the name Celestia.” Skyset said.

Twilight could only continue to stare in confusion. “I’m… forgive me I’m trying to understand how that’s possible. Princess Celestia has ruled over Equestria for millennia…”

“And just where is this Equestria?” Skyset asked. There was no way it was the Equestria she knew. She may have had this conversation with the ghost earlier. She couldn’t really remember. She wanted to hear this purple pony say it.

Twilight’s horn sparked to life and a globe floated to her desk from the top of a nearby bookshelf. She set it down on her desk and rotated it so the Equestrian continent faced the pegasus. “Equestria is here, south of the Crystal Empire, and north of the Bone Dry Desert.”

Skyset glanced at the map. The continent looked right, but the names were all wrong! But then she took a moment, and realized just how the map got here. She backpedaled immediately.

“Are… you alright?” Twilight asked worriedly. “You seem a bit frightened…”

“I uh… need to go!” Skyset said urgently, then turned. She wanted out of here and she didn’t care how she made it happen.

“The restroom is down the hall to your left!” Twilight called after her.

Skyset wasn’t looking for the bathroom, however. This… alicorn was probably the source of everything in this crazy town! Unicorns and earth ponies? As if. This was all the purple pony’s doing, and she wanted no part of it. She bolted for the door and quickly exited. “Now just to get through this town again!” she gritted her teeth as she muttered to herself. Back to the forest. That’s where she’d go. It was probably safer than here.

She bobbed and weaved her way through, not caring who saw. It didn’t take long for the forest to come into view. With her goal in sight, she felt some relief, until she smacked into something.

She barely stopped herself from falling, and she saw that she had knocked yet another unicorn down! “EEP!” she yelped, and bolted past the unicorn, hoping she could get away before she recovered.

“Oh goodness! Starlight, are you alright?” A yellow pegasus asked, approaching the downed unicorn.

Starlight took Fluttershy’s hoof and pulled herself up. “I’m fine… I’m more worried about the pony who knocked me down… did you see her? She looked like she was scared for her life…”

“I um… no I’m sorry, I stopped to chat with the squirrels…” Fluttershy admitted. “What should we do?”

“...I think we should follow her, maybe we can help.” Starlight declared before galloping off in the direction the pony who’d bumped into her had.

“I… um…” Fluttershy stood there, unsure of how to convey that she didn’t really feel like chasing somepony on a Saturday afternoon. She sighed and took wing, entering a leisurely glide once she’d gained a comfortable amount of height. Scared animals were something Fluttershy was good at dealing with… maybe she could help calm a scared pony too.

Skyset kept running, even as she went into the forest. Once she figured she was away from it all, she laid on the ground and curled herself up, crying. I just wanna go back home. I’ll never complain about work again… she thought.

In the shadows, something creaked like an old tree in a heavy storm… only there was no storm. A pair of glowing eyes peered out from the bushes. Step by step, the massive wooden creature moved into the clearing, spying what looked like food.

“Get back!” Starlight shouted.

“Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear…” Fluttershy whimpered. “Starlight it isn’t going to stop!”

“MOVE!” Starlight shouted as loud as she could, hoping the mare on the ground would hear her. She charged up her horn and vanished in blue-ish green flash, appearing between the mare and the wooden creature. “Don’t you take another step closer, dog breath!”

Skyset hadn’t heard a thing. The next thing she knew, someone was calling someone else dog breath, and there was a popping sound close by. Immediately startled, another loud yelp escaped the mare’s lips, and she could only think to run yet again.

“D-don’t run that direction!” Fluttershy shouted. “It’ll give chase!”

Skyset stopped at the warning, skidding and seeing the yellow pegasus. She felt almost relieved, a fellow pegasus. Hopefully she wasn’t brainwashed like the others seemed to be.

Fluttershy landed gently on her hooves and moved over to the other pegasus. “Are you hurt?”

“N-no!” she said. “What’s going on?!?” she questioned.

Starlight looked over her shoulder. “I’ll tell you what’s going on, you ran into the woods and almost became lunch for this thing… bad timber wolf! Go home!”

The large wooden canine went to swipe at Starlight with a paw only to hit a glowing dome of blue-ish green energy. The dome dissipated at a few beams of the same color were fired in a volley from the unicorn’s horn. “Go… home! Ponies aren’t food!”

The creature yelped as one of Starlight’s three shots struck it’s paw. It narrowed its glowing eyes at her and started to circle.

“I think it’s planning to fight you!” Fluttershy warned. “It seems really agitated!”

Starlight’s horn flared and the creature lit up in her aura before being blasted back several pony lengths. “Get lost! Go on! Get!”

The creature rolled from the shove and started approaching again.

“It’s a stubborn one…” Starlight hissed. She fired a much stronger beam, blasting a leg off the Timber Wolf. “I’ll do it again! Back off!”

The creature gave a light whimper, gazing at it’s missing leg. It hobbled over to the leg, took it in its teeth and vanished into the trees.

After they had caught their breath, Skyset spoke. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a creature like that!”

“It’s called a Timber Wolf… they’re pretty common in wooded areas.” Fluttershy said, a tone of relief creeping into her voice. “I think you scared it off, Starlight…”

Starlight turned and walked towards the others. “What were you thinking running off into the woods like that? Who in Ponyville just runs into the Everfree? You could’ve gotten seriously hurt.” she said, staring at the other pegasus.

Skyset stared, not wanting to interact with the unicorn. “I… uh… no reason?”

“Starlight’s right, that was incredibly dangerous… you don’t even have any first aid supplies on you…” Fluttershy said worriedly. “Or a compass… what if you’d gotten lost and hurt? You wouldn’t even be able to fly up and reorient yourself from above…”

“Huh…?” Skyset seemed very puzzled. “What’s so bad about the forest? Sure there’s a couple wild animals here and there, but it can’t be that bad, can it?”

“The Everfree Forest is one of the more dangerous places in Equestria.” Starlight explained. “It’s filled with plenty of creatures that wouldn’t mind snacking on a pony or two… not to mention the dangerous magical plants. It’s not somewhere inexperienced explorers should be wandering alone.”

“Uh… huh…” Skyset seemed perplexed. Was this unicorn trying to trick her? She seemed genuinely concerned, but that couldn’t be right.

“...I think she gets the idea, Starlight…” Fluttershy noted. She looked to the mare and smiled. “My name is Fluttershy.” she greeted. Normally she’d have a harder time talking to somepony new… but it was funny how mortal danger had a habit of yanking her out of her shell, even if only for a while.

“Uh… Skyset.” the orange pegasus replied, holding out a hoof.

Fluttershy gently took and shook the hoof before letting it go. “Starlight, do you think you can go to the market and pick up some lettuce for me? I’m going to need some for dinner tonight.”

“Uh… alright. I can do that. You want me to just meet you back here or..?” Starlight asked.

“At my cottage, please, feel free to let yourself in.” Fluttershy said with a smile.

“WHAT!!!!” Skyset exclaimed, staring at the pegasus in disbelief.

The two ponies turned to look at her.

Fluttershy flicked her ears a few times. “O-oh... is something the matter?”

Skyset turned so that she was not facing the unicorn, and put a wing up. “She’s a unicorn.” Skyset said in a hushed whisper to Fluttershy. “Aren’t you worried she’ll… yknow…” she made a gesture to her head for emphasis.

“...I’m… afraid I don’t understand?” Fluttershy asked unsurely.

“Hello? Unicorn? Fried pony brain???” Skyset questioned in disbelief.

“What? Starlight would never mess with anypony’s head!“ Fluttershy gasped.

“Well, there was that one time…” Starlight said sheepishly. “Not that I’m proud of it…”

“You gave that up a long time ago.” Fluttershy said firmly.

Starlight sighed. “That doesn’t mean I don’t feel guilty about it. What I did was wrong.”

Skyset just stared at the two. “Okay. Somepony explain to me what the hay is going on??? Since when did pegasi and unicorns get all chummy?”

At this, Starlight stared at Skyset. “...you wouldn’t happen to be from another time or something would you?”

“What?” Skyset blinked. “I’m from 3021. Just like everypony else. What other time could it possibly be???”

“I knew it!” Starlight declared. “I knew I sensed time magic this morning! Twilight was wrong!”

“You sensed time magic? Oh my…” Fluttershy winced. “I-it’s not going to be like that one time is it?”

“I don’t think so… Skyset seems more confused than malicious.” Starlight said, looking to the pegasus. “It’s uh… I don’t know how to tell you this, but it’s only 2016.”

“What???” Skyset said for what felt like the millionth time. “You’re lying.”

“She’s not…” Fluttershy said softly. “It’s May seventh, twenty sixteen.”

“Y-you ponies are just playing tricks on me! This isn’t funny!” Skyset exclaimed.

“I wouldn’t play a joke like that on somepony. That’s not my style.” Starlight said flatly. “...wait, you asked when unicorns and pegasi got… chummy? Does something happen?”

“Starlight, maybe we shouldn’t know too much…” Fluttershy cautioned. “Twilight once went back in time to warn herself about something and it turned into a real mess…”

“Like she wouldn’t know anyway!” Skyset said, glaring at Starlight. “After all, it was the unicorns that stole our magic!”

Starlight felt like she’d been stabbed in the heart. Stole their magic? For a brief moment the image of Twilight Sparkle’s pained expression flickered through her mind as her cutie mark was stolen. For a brief moment she remembered how satisfied she’d felt to unmark a Princess. She shuddered. Since that day Twilight had taken her in Starlight had only become more increasingly confused as to how she ever could’ve become so… misguided. She had once stolen magic from ponies.

“Starlight… are you okay?” Fluttershy asked, seeing Starlight’s eyes tear up.

“Y-yeah, I’m okay… just… remembering darker times…” Starlight said, wiping her eyes with the back of a hoof. She didn’t know if she could ever truly forgive herself.

Skyset was now conflicted. This unicorn seemed more hurt than anything else. She wasn’t wrong, was she? No. She couldn’t be wrong. This was just another manipulation game. She was sure of it.

“Do you… wanna talk about it? I’m here to listen…” Fluttershy encouraged.

“...I was just remembering what I did to you and your friends back in the village…” Starlight said with a ragged breath. “I did steal a part of you… Maybe I… I should go…” she said weakly. Was this mare once one of her villagers? She thought she’d remembered everypony… but could she really? There had been so many… No… this mare had come from the future… still… what if something Starlight had done had lead up to this? What if she were the descendant of one of those villagers? What if somepony else had copied her unmarking spell… or worse. “I hate myself for ever writing that stupid spell…” she muttered.

Convinced that she needed to leave this situation as soon as possible, Skyset cleared her throat. “Uh… thank you… ponies… for the save.” Skyset said. “But uh… I should get going. You guys take care, okay?”

“Wait!” Starlight cried. “If you’re from the future, you’re going to need a way back!”

Skyset stopped. Was the unicorn seriously offering to help? What if this... Starlight... had been the one to cause it? The orange pegasus turned. “Go on…?”

“Starlight Glimmer is one of the strongest mages in Equestria.” Fluttershy spoke up. “She once used time magic… maybe she can get you back to your own time.”

“I-I don’t know if I’m one of the strongest…” Starlight said awkwardly.

“You were able to stand up to Twilight.” Fluttershy deadpanned.

“...Okay… maybe I am pretty strong, b-but I’m sure there are others…” Starlight replied nervously. The last thing she wanted to do was dismiss anypony else’s talent. She’d learned to respect the talent of others a lot more since her village days.

“What’s in it for you?” Skyset questioned, not believing it to be true.

“...a chance to use that knowledge for something good?” Starlight asked hopefully.

“Whatever, I guess I don’t have anything to lose but my sanity.” Skyset said, then groaned. “What am I doing with my lifeeeee...”

“I just need to know… is… something wrong between unicorns and pegasi in your time..?” Starlight asked worriedly. Had she somehow broken things that never got fixed? Was one of those alternate timelines still out there? She couldn’t recall how many she’d seen…

“Unicorns and earth ponies stole our magic.” Skyset said bitterly. “None of us can fly. Only the royal family can. We don’t know how to get it back. Why am I telling you this?” she questioned herself as she explained.

“Stole your magic?” Starlight asked in a mix of horror and disbelief. She couldn’t think of how or why that would happen… “B-but why?” she questioned. Now that she thought about it this mare’s magic was incredibly weak.

“You tell me.” Skyset said sourly. “My guess is because they hate us.”

“...I repeat… but why?” Starlight questioned.

“Starlight, we might end up messing up the future if we know too much…” Fluttershy cautioned. “The butterfly effect, remember?”

Starlight glanced at Fluttershy, briefly to her cutie mark and rolled her eyes. “I won’t do anything different…”

“You don’t know that.” Fluttershy pointed out. “Just knowing could change what you’d do.”

“...w-well if that’s the future, maybe it should be different.” Starlight said flatly.

Skyset remained silent, listening. Did this unicorn really believe that?

“Maybe you’re right…” Fluttershy sighed.

“I just… don’t want to imagine a future in which ponies hate each other. Especially not after having you and Twilight in my life, Fluttershy…” Starlight said adamantly.

“I’m having a hard time believing my ears right now.” Skyset said blankly. “You’re supposed to be heartless. All unicorns are. Heartless, soulless, evil ponies!”

Starlight winced. “Maybe I was heartless at one point…”

“You were not.” Fluttershy scolded. “You were hurting…”

“That’s no excuse for what I did to those ponies.” Starlight snapped. “I never once considered their feelings genuinely. It was all about me. If that isn’t heartless I don’t know what is.”

“You need to forgive yourself, Starlight…” Fluttershy said gently. “You’re not that pony anymore…”

“...I’m working through it, okay?” Starlight groaned.

“Just…. Stop, okay!” Skyset huffed. “I don’t know why you don’t know anything about this, I don’t know if I buy the whole… 2016 thing… I just… I’ve been taught all my life that this is the way things are, and you alone…” she said, pointing at Starlight. “...are making me question everything I was ever taught. What the heck is going ON!??!?”

“Either something really screwed up happens between our time and yours… or somepony’s made you believe something that isn’t true.” Starlight replied. “...I should know, I was good at getting ponies to believe things I wanted them to.”

“Starlight…” Fluttershy sighed. “Maybe you should take a spa trip… it isn’t good to dwell on these things.”

“I guess I’m just having an off day…” Starlight said weakly. “This morning started out weird…”

“You don’t have to tell me that.” Skyset grumbled. “I just wanted a nice camping trip.”

“I’ve admittedly never been one for camping myself.” Starlight said before looking back towards the town. “Maybe you’re right… but personally I kind of feel like pizza. You don’t mind pineapple on pizza, right?” she asked looking to Skyset.

It was at that moment Skyset realized, she was starving. She hadn’t eaten anything in a long while. “Right now, I’d kill for anything. I don’t care if it’s served by an octopus.” Skyset said. “You just had to get me thinking about my stomach.”

“Alright then. Pizza first. Timey whimey stuff after.” Starlight said with a smile. Pizza made everything better, right?

Chapter 3 - Mysteries of the Future

The room was filled with the scent of herbs, spices, and a whole lot of tomato sauce. Red banners with white pizza-shaped emblems dotted the walls… it was Ponyville’s very own Royal Pie Pizzeria, home of the royal pie. Also breadsticks and pasta.

The earth pony mare behind the counter deftly tossed spinning dough into the air and caught it before spreading a generous layer of sauce atop it. “Coming right up...!”

“She’s got some skill, I’ll give her that much.” said Skyset, staring on in awe.

“Tends to happen when you make pizza for ten years.” the earth pony mare chuckled as she laid on the toppings surprisingly evenly for the speed she moved. She slid the pan into the oven. “Should be done in about ten minutes, can I interest you in a drink with that?”

“I’ll take a root beer.” Starlight said happily.

“I uh… water please.” Fluttershy said sheepishly.

Not knowing what was available in this time, Skyset made a simple choice. “Eh… water for me too.”

“So… what kind of music do they have where you come from?” Starlight asked curiously as she took a seat at a nearby booth.

“Huh?” Skyset blinked, not expecting the question. “I mean… normal… kinds? You name it, it probably exists.”

“Huh… I’m kind of a metal mare myself.” Starlight said with a smile.

“I like classical.” Fluttershy said before glancing back to the oven. “There won’t be onions will there? Too many onions upset my tummy…”

“I didn’t order any, actually. I know they don’t sit too well with you.” Starlight noted.

“You remembered? Thank you, Starlight.” Fluttershy said gratefully.

“As long as they don’t have those… weird… fish things on it I’m good.” Skyset said.

“Anchovies? They’re alright.” Starlight said with a shrug.

“I don’t like my food looking at me…” Fluttershy said with a shudder.

“You can say that again.” Skyset chuckled. “Food isn’t supposed to stare. Now I’m thinking though. If pizza is this far back, I wonder how old other foods are.”

“Some food historians believe pizza predates even Equestria, though there’s some debate as to whether or not the earliest of pizzas can be considered pizza by modern standards.” Starlight commented.

“I wouldn’t know.” Skyset shrugged. “But I’m starting to wonder if that’s the case with a lot of foods.”

“I’d say it is.” Starlight said confidently. “So… are unicorns really like that where you come from? I mean like… super mean?”

“They stole our magic!” Skyset deadpanned. “How much more mean can you get than that?”

“It’s just… I’m not entirely convinced…” Starlight said uncertainly. “I mean sure, there’s ponies who’ve abused their power before… I’m one of them, but… all unicorns?”

“Well I haven’t seen any other unicorns trying to help us get it back. We either go at them and demand we get it back, and potentially start fighting, or we just keep living our lives. We’re not fighters.” Skyset said. “But we do want to fly.”

“I have noticed your magic is… weaker than it should be for an adult pegasus.” Starlight noted. “Your magic kind of resembles a foal’s almost.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?!?” Skyset demanded. “I don’t havemagic!”

“Don’t be ridiculous, everypony has magic. It’s integral to our biology. You’d be dead without it.” Starlight said dismissively.

“Then why can’t we fly?” Skyset deadpanned.

“If I had to guess, you can’t fly because your magic is so weak.” Starlight suggested. “Pegasi need their magic to aid in flight, but yours is immature. Like you’ve… never flown a day in your life…”

“Never flown? Oh goodness…” Fluttershy said, her ears folding back. Fluttershy tended to keep her hooves on the ground, but even she would be heartbroken without her wings…

“It’s not just me!” Skyset protested. “ALL pegasi where I’m from can’t fly! Only the queen and princesses can!”

“That just makes it all the more suspicious, if you ask me.” Starlight pointed out. “Awfully selective that only ponies in high places get special privileges.”

“They wouldn’t!” Skyset protested.

“You know your home better than I do… but I still think there’s a pretty huge piece of the picture missing.” Starlight said unsurely. “If anything, taking away pegasus magic is detrimental to everypony. If the weather can’t be managed, ponies will have a much harder time producing the food they need.”

“I mean, the weather just is what it is.” Skyset said. “It could rain, it could be sunny… doesn’t really matter. It just happens when it happens.”

“Oh… not around here. We have weather teams manage the weather here.” Fluttershy noted. “Tomorrow they’re supposed to make it rain.”

“That’s… great news.” Skyset deadpanned, not really fond of getting soaked while out and about. Was it true, though? It wasn’t really something she remembered ever being talked about in her school days.

“Your pizza’s ready!” the earth pony at the counter declared, setting the freshly baked pizza into a box.

Starlight’s horn came to life as the pizza floated over to their table. “Thank you!”

“Any time!” the earth pony said as she went about cleaning up her work space. “I’ve got to get six more done for delivery by time my delivery pony gets back…”

“Yeesh. Don’t work your tail off.” Skyset grimaced.

“Don’t worry! I’ll just stick it back on with our stringy mozzarella!” the earth pony joked.

Skyset actually chuckled at this. “That’s advertisement if I ever heard it. Good job.”

Starlight gleefully stared at the fresh made pizza, steam still rolling off of it. “I love this place!” she practically sang as she snagged a slice.

“That good, huh…?” Skyset said. She stared for a moment. It was made by an earth pony. Those other creatures she was told she should avoid. But now she was beginning to question… why?

“Ever since I discovered this place, I look for them in every town I visit.” Starlight said digging into a slice. “I wonder if Sire’s Hollow ever got one…”

“Soooo…. They’re franchised?” Skyset asked. “Here you had me thinking this was a local spot.”

“Family owned!” The earth pony mare butted in.

“Well there’s that mystery solved.” Skyset said, finally shaking off her fears and grabbing some. “Sure smells good.”

Fluttershy cautiously reached for a slice with her hoof, and then decided to wait, feeling it was too hot. “So… you have a queen?”

Skyset nodded through a mouthful. “We have Queen Haven.” she said. “And she has two daughters. She does a good job, I think. A little on the pompous side, but it is what it is.”

“We have Princess Celestia and Princess Luna…” Starlight noted. “There’s also Princess Twilight, but she currently doesn’t handle a lot of higher up things in our government. It’s usually the two sisters calling the shots.”

“No queen?” Skyset asked.

“No queen.” Starlight answered.

“Huh.” Skyset said, taking another bite. She focused on the delicious slice of pizza. “Pretty good stuff here.” she said around her mouthful.

“We should probably save Twilight a few slices.” Fluttershy pointed out.

“At that rate we should probably order a second pizza, Spike’s going to want some… and you know how hungry he gets.” Starlight noted. “Also he’s not a fan of pineapple…”

“I’ll make you another if you like.” the earth pony mare behind the counter noted.

“Yes please, hold the pineapple on that one.” Starlight replied.

Skyset had no words at this point. She’d just… adapted. She was a little uncomfortable, but she was talking to these ponies like it was nothing. Was it really that easy? Was the unicorn doing something? It didn’t look like it. But, even if she were, was it a bad thing?

“So you’re telling me the Dorothian settlement needs more food?” Twilight asked, looking to the tan colored earth pony with a brown and white mane in front of her.

“Yes, Princess, at their current rate, they’ll experience a shortage in about two weeks…” the earth pony mare said.

“Thank you for bringing that to my attention, Cookie… but shouldn’t you be reporting this in Canterlot? I’m going to have to send notice to Princess Celestia…” Twilight said unsurely.

“Princess Celestia made it clear she wanted me to have you more involved, since it’s related to your work with other peoples. She said it would be a good experience for you.” Cookie explained.

“Did she now… I see…” Twilight said, her ears folding back. That was a pretty big responsibility to dump on her through somepony else… she’d have to see what she could do about catching herself up on their situation. “How are you and Jarissa doing?”

“We’re doing pretty well, all things considered.” Cookie said with a smile. “Now that things have calmed down some… I need to get back to Canterlot on the next train, so I’ll be seeing you, Princess.”

“You can just call me Twilight, you know!” Twilight called after the earth pony. Once she was alone she let her face hit her desk. “Ugh… this has been an exhausting day…”

“Letter for you, Twilight!” Spike called, holding a scroll out to the alicorn.

“No!” Twilight nearly screamed.

“It’s… just from your mom.” Spike winced.

“Oh! Sorry… I… thought for a second there I was going to have some other big important thing to worry about today.” Twilight said awkwardly as she took the scroll and read it. She smiled as she read about her mother’s trip to Las Pegasus and all the fun she’d had with her father. “Heh, one of these days I really need to take the girls to one of those comedy shows, I bet they’d love it.”

Twilight set the letter down and decided it was about time she worried about food. She made her way out of her study where she’d spent the better part of the day and down the stairs when she spotted Starlight Glimmer, Fluttershy and… “You’re that pegasus from earlier… long bathroom trip…”

“Huh? She was here earlier?” Starlight asked, looking to Skyset.

“Bathroom trip?” Skyset asked, confused. “I… nevermind. Yes.” Skyset said with a sigh.

“You seemed quite alarmed earlier… are you… okay?” Twilight asked worriedly, looking to the orange pegasus.

“I was right. She’s from the future.” Starlight said proudly.

“...what?” Twilight asked, looking to the mare. “...and I… didn’t sense anything?”

“I’m sure you would’ve if you could’ve, Twilight.” Fluttershy offered.

“I still don’t know if I buy into all that, but I would like to just go home…” Skyset said. “I don’t even know where Zephyr Heights is…”

“Well… if this is a time thing… I might be able to use a spell to find your point of origin.” Twilight suggested. “But I’ll need to read up on it first…”

“Starswirl’s temporal reverse-routing spell?” Starlight asked with a grin.

“That’s the one!” Twilight said with a squee.

“All this talk of spells is really making me nervous…” Skyset said awkwardly.

“Oh it’s totally harmless.” Starlight said reassuringly. “I used it once to find out how old a set of gems was that I was thinking about using for an art piece… turns out they were about a hundred years old and had never gone through time any other way than one second per second.”

“Harmless…” Skyset repeated, as if trying to convince herself. “I dunno…”

“Well, if we’re going to get you back, we kind of need to know when to get you back to…” Starlight pointed out. “It wouldn’t be good if we sent you to the wrong year… or even the wrong day…”

“But I already told you the year…” she said unsurely. “I’m from 3021. Can’t you use that?”

“It does help somewhat, but this could allow us to be down to the second…” Twilight pointed out. “Does magic really scare you that much?”

“As long as it doesn’t touch me, it’s fine, I guess.” Skyset lied. She didn’t want to see it at all. She was still quite wary of what any horned pony would do.

“It would… kind of have to touch you.” Twilight said with a wince. She turned and lifted a wing, pointing a hoof to her flank. “You can trust me, magic is my special talent.”

“...also mine.” Starlight added idly.

“I-I dunno. I don’t wanna end up braindead or something.” Skyset said warily.

“Literally less than a one percent chance of happening.” Starlight said nonchalantly. “I think that’s like… point ‘o one two percent?”

“Starlight…” Twilight said, with a deadpan. “Not helping.”

“Well I mean, what am I supposed to do, lie? There’s a non-zero percent chance of a meteor hitting Ponyville too.” Starlight pointed out.

“Oh yes, let me trust the creatures that stole our magic in the first place. Sounds genius.” Skyset snapped.

“...wait what?” Twilight questioned in disbelief.

“Apparently unicorns and earth ponies do something bad to pegasi in the future, according to her. Something just doesn’t add up to me about that…” Starlight pointed out.

“It’s the only explanation I have! Why do they have magic and we don’t?” Skyset exasperatedly said.

Twilight stared at the mare. Her magic was being suppressed… or clearly had been. Some complex spellwork was littered all over her. “No earth pony could’ve done this to you… I doubt any ordinary pony at all could have… I can’t break the spell you’re under.”

Starlight blinked. “I hadn’t… is she? I didn’t even notice that… that’s… weird… and awfully deliberate…”

“What do you mean?” Skyset questioned. “I’m already under a spell?!?” she exclaimed.

“I’d wager you’ve been under that spell your entire life.” Twilight suggested. “It’s blocking… basically every pegasus specific node in your body…”

“Who in Equestria would design a spell specifically to disable a pegasus like that?” Starlight demanded. “...no wait there’s more… feel around her hooves and her forehead.”

“Blockers for earth pony and unicorn specific nodes too… it’s a one size fits all…” Twilight said in a concerned tone. Was this part of some horrible plot in the future? “This would work even on something like me…”

“Say what now?” Skyset questioned. “Why would it have blockers for the other races? I’m just a pegasus!”

“Because the spell was intended for everypony.” Starlight commented. “This would disable a unicorn or an earth pony too…”

“Or an alicorn…” Twilight said, pacing around Skyset with increasing curiosity. “I don’t think that’s what bothers me the most…”

“What is what bothers you the most?” Starlight asked.

“...it looks like my magic.” Twilight said sourly. “But… why? And how?”

“Y-your…. Magic?” Skyset questioned. “But… I’ve never met you until today.”

“...I hate to say it Twilight, but you’re right… that is your magical signature.” Starlight said with a frown. “...You became worse than me?”

“What? No! No, no, no!” Twilight cringed. She stepped back from Skyset her in a panic. “I-I’m… if I did s-something like this I must’ve had a good reason… I-I must’ve… I… why would I do something like this? This… this is awful.”

Fluttershy cleared her throat. “Twilight… I don’t think you would if it weren’t for a good cause…”

“D-don’t you get it Fluttershy? If I did this… that means I ruined Equestria! What if all the ponies think each other stole their magic and it’s myfault!?” Twilight demanded. “W-what have I done?”

“You mean what will you do.” Starlight pointed out. “You haven’t done it yet… and you don’t know the circumstances.”

“I’m so confused!” Skyset exclaimed. “How could you have done it? And is it just affecting pegasi or am I understanding it’s affecting more than that???”

“I don’t see why it would only affect pegasi… it’s designed to affect everypony…” Twilight whimpered. The longer she analyzed that spell the more it hurt. She had to turn away when she started seeing patterns her own mind would come up with. “Okay… Okay, don’t panic… don’t panic… I may break Equestria o-one day, but I’m sure I had a good reason! I’m sure I...”

“Twilight!” Starlight snapped. “Calm down… freaking out isn’t going to do any good… maybe we should help Skyset figure this out… there doesseem to be some kind of mechanism to break the spell…”

“Should we!?” Twilight questioned with a crazed expression. “What if we make things even worse? What if it’s for a reason? What if something terrible would happen that I can’t even conceive of… o-or what if I go all evil or something…”

“Twilight… I don’t think you’d do that…” Fluttershy pointed out.

“Skyset, I need to know anything and everything you might know about me!” Twilight pleaded.

“Uhhhh. You hyperventilate easily?” Skyset questioned.

“I mean besides that!” Twilight shrilled.

“I just met you! I don’t know anything!” Skyset exclaimed.

“There aren’t any legends or anything?” Starlight asked.

“I mean, maybe???” Skyset questioned. “But like, I’m not really the studious type. It might have been mentioned, I don’t know!”

“Oh. Great. I’ve been forgotten.” Twilight said with an eye twitch.

“Well, on the upside, if you did do something terrible, at least nopony remembers it.” Starlight pointed out.

Twilight slowly turned to Starlight.

“What? A lot of ponies remember what I did. Count it a blessing.” Starlight said.

“You’re reaaaaaally not helping.” Twilight said as she continued to pace. “I shouldn’t know about this. I shouldn’t know about this. I shouldn’t know about this…”

“You can forget about it or panic later, we’ve got to figure out how to get Skyset home first.” Starlight pointed out. “This is future Twilight’s problem.”

Twilight resisted the urge to shout. She’d heard that one before. And Spike ended up with a stomach ache! She apparently ended up with civil war. She took a few slow deep breaths.

“My luck, the spell will work and I’d end up in Bridlewood or something.” Skyset said with a sigh.

“Where’s that?” Starlight asked curiously.

“It sounds like a lovely place…” Fluttershy suggested, imagining a forest full of beautiful white decor and flowers.

“It’s a BIIIIIG hub for unicorns, at least, that’s what we’ve been told.” Skyset said. “Never actually been there myself.”

“I think we might be getting a little off track… Skyset, do you have any idea how or what caused you to travel back in time?” Starlight questioned.

Twilight’s ears perked. “Yes! That would be a good starting point.”

She pulled out the bronze shard that she associated with… whatever had been happening. “I think it was this thing.” She said. “It was a bit caked in dirt, so I tried to rub the dirt away, and that’s when it happened.”

“May I… investigate?” Twilight asked hopefully.

“Why not? It hasn’t worked in taking me back so far.” Skyset said with a sigh. She’d idly tried rubbing it again while following Shadow Sentry, and was quite disappointed when nothing had happened. At the time however, she didn’t feel it was worth mentioning.

Twilight held out a hoof, not wanting to possibly interfere with whatever this object was using her magic, or to spook Skyset again like she was starting to guess she’d done earlier with the globe in her study.

“Looks like it has some kind of writing on it… maybe Old Ponish? I’m not well versed in Old Ponish…” Starlight commented, scrutinizing the shard.

“I wouldn’t know.” Skyset shrugged. “Like I said, not very studious. It was keeping me from putting my stake in the ground while setting up my tent.”

With the object in hoof, Twilight examined it closely. The enchantment was fascinating to say the least… far beyond even her own abilities. The writing she regrettably couldn’t make out all of due to a critical problem. “This isn’t the whole artifact.”

“What?” Starlight asked worriedly.

“It’s just a piece…” Twilight said as she continued to stare. The enchantment on the singular gem on it was clearly only one of many, meant to interconnect and communicate with several others. What those other missing pieces were and what they did, the purple alicorn could only guess.

“Is it telling you anything?” Skyset questioned.

“I think I’m going to have to study this for a while and cross reference old spellbooks where possible. I… don’t have enough information.” Twilight said with a frown. “This might take me a while…” she muttered. ‘Just what I didn’t need’ she didn’t add.

Skyset winced. “H-how long do you uh… estimate…?”

“I don’t know… it could be days… it could be weeks… or longer. It all depends on whether or not I can figure out what I need.” Twilight said as she started to pace. She had to commit her mind to this. She had to think about this and not what she potentially screwed up in a few centuries. “In the meantime, I’d be happy to offer you one of my guest rooms, Skyset. It’s the least I could do.”

“Maybe we could figure out how to get her flight working?” Starlight asked curiously.

“Out of the question.” Twilight said, looking to Starlight. “I don’t know why things turned out the way they did, but if there’s a chance there’s a reason behind it, the consequences for interfering could be severe… as much as it pains me to leave a pegasus flightless… even moreso knowing I might be responsible somehow…”

“I mean… I’ve never flown before, only ever glided. So I mean… it’s not really much difference to me.” Skyset said.

“If it’s all the same, I really need to get back to my animals, they’re probably getting hungry about now…” Fluttershy noted.

“Oh shoot, I never went and got that lettuce like you asked…” Starlight said suddenly, scratching the back of her head with a hoof.

“Oh, it’s okay. I’ll take care of it… I’ll see you girls later, okay?” Fluttershy said before making her way for the door. She looked back. “I really hope you get home okay, Skyset.”

“Me too…” Skyset said with a sigh.

Author's Note

A couple of things to note on this chapter is that this story was originally written before Make Your Mark chapter 1, meaning we had no idea whether Twilight was involved at all with the ponies of G5 being unable to use their magic, it was an idea we came up with because it made the most sense. Not a very important note, but a note that I found kind of ironic and really neat that it actually ended up lining up with canon so well.

And the second note is the mention of Dorothians. Dorothians are beings that came to the world because their homeworld was ravaged. Equestria ended up giving the remains of their populace aid, and a small plot of land to rebuild. I'm mentioning them here because it's another detail that's mentioned in a story that hasn't been made public yet, though I'm hoping that will change in the future.

Chapter 4 - Sleepless Night

Starlight Glimmer stared at the purple alicorn before her, a sense of trepidation seizing her legs. “You cannot be serious.”

“...I am.” Twilight replied solemnly.

“Twilight Sparkle, you are not asking me to do that. I-I can’t!” Starlight pleaded. “I-I’m not qualified! I don’t have a license… W-what if I screwed you up..? I… I…”

Twilight held up a hoof for silence. “I’ve already made my decision on this, Starlight. It has to be you. You’re the only pony I trust with this.”

“You’re asking me to mess with your head, Twilight! I’ve never erased memories before… l-let alone from a Princess… what if you don’t remember asking me to do it? What if I get charged with treason? I-isn’t my track record bad enough already?” Starlight pleaded.

“It will be fine…” Twilight said softly. “After we solve Skyset’s problem… I want you to erase my memories of discovering that magic in her. And never speak of it to me again.”

“I heard you the first time you said it.” Starlight said flatly. “And it still doesn’t sound any less insane…”

“Look at it like this… I was never supposed to know about it to begin with… and it might influence my decisions in the future knowing about it… it’s better that I don’t know. Ask Fluttershy to keep it to herself too.” Twilight pleaded. “Y-you don’t know how much knowing this is already hurting me, Starlight…”

Starlight Glimmer took a deep breath. “How could you possibly trust me of all ponies to do something like this? There are professionals…”

“I don’t want a professional. I want a friend.” Twilight said firmly. “If you really don’t want to… you don’t have to… but I would really, really appreciate it, if it were you.”

“That still doesn’t change the fact that I don’t have a license to practice that kind of magic and am likely legally barred from ever acquiring one.” Starlight countered.

“You don’t need a license. You have my royal decree.” Twilight said with conviction.

“Oh Celestia please no…” Starlight said with a face hoof. “I really, really hope I’m not going to regret this… w-what do you want erased exactly?”

“Just the knowledge that I had something to do with it. Nothing else.” Twilight said. “Leave everything else intact.”

Starlight swallowed hard. “A-and you’d be asking me to remember and take that secret to my grave…”

“...I understand it’s a big undertaking…” Twilight trailed off.

“Y-ya think?” Starlight questioned.

“I would know you did it. I would know you erased something and that I asked you to. Just not what it was you took… I’ll trust you to tell me if it’s ever needed. But before then it cannot affect my decisions going forward… a-and I don’t think I can live with the guilt. I barely slept at all last night…”

“I could tell, Princess At-My-Door-At-Three-AM.” Starlight sighed. “I’m going to get some coffee… we should get Skyset up before we start doing any serious research. She has a right to be present.”

“...thank you, Starlight…” Twilight said sheepishly.

“Don’t thank me.” Starlight said with a scowl. “Not yet… maybe not ever for what you’re asking me to do.”

“Come on… a spell like that should be foal’s play to you…” Twilight pointed out.

“And if it’s not and I break something I potentially screw up my friend and a princess of Equestria forever. No pressure. Haha.” Starlight said sarcastically.

“You’re not going to screw up.” Twilight said with an eye roll. Starlight was more capable than she gave herself credit for. “And for the record, you have no criminal record related to mind altering magic.”

“Only because you prevented me from having one.” Starlight countered.

“If it helps I do.” Twilight noted.

“You what?” Starlight asked, looking at Twilight as if she’d grown a second head.

“I once sent Ponyville into a craze with a Want It Need It Spell.” Twilight explained awkwardly.

“...That’s… low level black magic…” Starlight said with disbelief. “How… why would…”

“Maybe not every book I’ve read is meant for the general public.” Twilight said, ruffling her feathers. “There were some books I don’t think Princess Celestia realized I had access to… things that maybe shouldn’t have been in my library back in Canterlot. I’ve picked up a couple of spells I’m not technically supposed to know…”

“You of all ponies. I would’ve figured you would panic and turn the books in.” Starlight chuckled. Starlight was admittedly knowledgeable of a few spells she shouldn’t technically legally know. She supposed that was something they had in common… just how many other things did the two of them share?

Starlight and Twilight eventually made their way to the guest room Skyset was staying in and Twilight knocked. “Skyset? Are you awake?”

Skyset had been awake for a while. Sleep seemed to escape her. Despite their seemingly well intentions, she couldn’t help but think that one might backstab her while she slept. She wanted to sleep. She had tossed and turned all night. But it didn’t matter what she wanted, her fear kept her awake. Even now, they were knocking on her door, and if that didn’t tell her they were helping her, she didn’t know what would, but at the same time, her mind wasn’t willing to let her continue those kind of thoughts. Finally, with a groan, and bags under her eyes, she called out. “Yessss…”

“We were going to prepare breakfast and start researching… do you want to join us?” Twilight asked without opening the door.

“What else am I gonna do?” she droned, sliding herself off the bed and making her way to the door. She could care less how frazzled her mane might have looked.

As Skyset opened the door, Starlight winced. It looked like Skyset’s sleep had been about as restful as Twilight’s… that was to say, not at all. “Am I the only pony that got any sleep last night?” Starlight questioned with concern. Sure she’d been woken up prematurely by a guilt-ridden purple alicorn, but she’d at least gotten four hours in.

“Unless you define tossing and turning all night as sleep, then no.” Skyset deadpanned.

“Right… nothing a little caffeine can’t solve.” Starlight noted. “Or a lot of it… unless you’d rather sleep in, of course. That’s up to you.”

“I’m not gonna be able to sleep until my body forces me to.” Skyset said with a sigh.

“Well, in that case, how about pancakes?” Twilight asked warmly. She felt compelled to make Skyset’s time in this time period as pleasant as it could be. “Or do you have something else you might like?”

“Pancakes it is.” Skyset said tiredly. “Been a while.”

As the trio of ponies made their way through the hall, a panicked purple and green dragon rounded the corner and slammed into Twilight’s forelegs before falling back on his hindquarters. “Oogh… T-Twilight! We have a problem!”

Twilight stared at the panicked dragon and her ears folded back. “What do you mean ‘we have a problem’? Spike… what’s wrong..?”

“The… artifact… window… broken!” Spike gasped, out of breath from his run here.

That was all Twilight needed to hear. Her horn blazed and she vanished in a magenta flash.

“Window broken?” Starlight questioned.

“Uh huh… the… thing is g-”

“AAAAAAAAHhhh!” Twilight’s voice echoed through the halls.

“Would anything else like to go wrong today?” Starlight questioned the universe. “Something tells me I’m going to want to make it extra strong coffee…”

“Y-you’re kidding, right???” Skyset questioned, falling to her haunches. “That… maybe my only way to get home?!?”

“We’d better go check this out…” Starlight said, heading for where Twilight had placed the artifact Skyset had presented them with the night before. Twilight had explicitly placed it on a pedestal in a room with a couple of other artifacts she’d had on loan from Canterlot’s Museum of Arcane History for research purposes.

When the two ponies and dragon had arrived, Twilight sat staring at room that had been absolutely ransacked. Books laid strewn all over the floor, a nearby window shattered, allowing the morning sun to stream in, glinting off several of the shards. All three of the artifacts Twilight had been housing in the room, including the one Skyset had brought, were missing. “I don’t believe this…”

Starlight’s horn lit as she cast a series of spells to hunt for clues as to the perpetrator for the chaos before her. She walked along one of the walls, being careful to avoid any broken glass before she frowned. “Not a trace… whoever was here knew we’d be looking. They’ve covered their trail.”

“Not even a loose tail hair… anything?” Twilight demanded, doing her own set of searches. When she too came up empty hooved she nearly screamed. “Who would do this? Who would steal from this castle? From me of all ponies?”

“Twilight, I highly doubt anypony willing to steal from here of all places cares that it’s you.” Starlight deadpanned. “No matter how nice you are… although, the fact that you’re royalty makes this a particularly severe offense…”

“H-how will I get home now…?” Skyset almost demanded. The fact that it was possibly the only way terrified her to no end.

Twilight stared from the pedestals to the broken window. To Skyset, then back to the broken window. She needed this fixed and she needed it fixed yesterday. “Spike! Take a letter!”

“...I don’t have any paper on me, Twilight.” Spike said, dumbfounded. “I just got up.”

“Magnum Opus!” Twilight called.

A tiny metal pony poked its head from the alicorn’s mane. “Yes, Twilight? What might I do for you?”

“...Send a message to Team 77. I want them in Ponyville, immediately. Something urgent has come up, I’ll fill them in on the details when they arrive.” Twilight said flatly.

“Message sent, Princess.” The tiny metal pony said with a nod.

“You… didn’t hear my conversation from earlier with Starlight… did you?” Twilight asked suddenly.

“Negative, Princess. I’ve been hibernating until now, I was not recording anything.” the tiny pony replied.

“W-what is that thing?!?” Skyset demanded.

“Oh that’s just Magnum Opus.” Spike answered. “He’s Twilight’s PONET.”

“A… PO.. N… Uh… I don’t think I wanna know.” Skyset winced.

Starlight smirked. “Wouldn’t be the first pony to make that joke…” she muttered. “He’s a Personal Ornithoptic Navigator, Entertainer, and Telecommunicator. They’re like… little assistant robots.”

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss Skyset.” Magnum Opus greeted.

“It’s… like a bug… but a pony. What?” Skyset said, confused.

At this, the little robot took to the air and hovered, a faint ringing buzz, emanating from its wings. “Actually, we’re modeled primarily on breezies.”

“Bree... zies… I’ve heard of those!” Skyset cheered. “I’ve never seen one before though… uh… I’m getting off topic.”

There was a knock from the door at the entrance to the castle. The door had a special enchantment on it that allowed knocking to be heard from nearly anywhere in the castle. There were exceptions of course, but Twilight always wanted to know if there were visitors. “Why don’t you get it? I’ll clean up this mess.” Starlight suggested.

“No! Don’t touch any of it… not until somepony’s had time to investigate.” Twilight snapped. “This is a crime scene! Nothing must be disturbed.”

“I… right…” Starlight said with a sigh. She didn’t think anypony was going to find anything that she or Twilight hadn’t already, but she’d seen Twilight low on sleep and in a panic enough times since moving in with her that she knew the purple alicorn wasn’t to be argued with.

“Great.” Skyset sighed. “Just a wonderful day.”

Silver Dreams, an alicorn with a coat, black like the night sky, and a deep red mane stood at the entrance to the Castle of Friendship pondering just what Twilight’s message had been about. His cutie mark of a light blue crescent moon with a four pointed star at each tip stood out against the black fur of his flank. The same tone of blue could be seen in his eyes, as well as the spiral of his horn; the mark of a dream mage. “Called by Twilight specifically… I hope that doesn’t mean the world’s going to implode or something.”

“Knowing Twilight, she probably just misscheduled something.” Crimson Tail, a deep red pegasus pony, with black mane and tail, spoke next. “I was just working on something fun too, hadn’t done worked on any gadgets or anything in a while.” he almost said in a pout, as his own sky blue eyes looked at his own cutie mark, two gears, one larger than the other, the larger being closer to the rear than the smaller.

“I doubt Princess Twilight would call in an elite guard team over a little scheduling mistake.” Midnight Sonnet noted, reaching up to fix the metal band that held her ponytail in place. She was a bat pony with a gray-ish blue coat. Her mane and tail were an inky black, fading to white at the tip of each hair. A pair of red rimmed glasses sat on her nose in front of her slitted purple eyes, helping her both with the fact she was nearsighted, and thanks to their ability to darken in direct sunlight, the fact that she was a bat pony out during the day.

“I’m sure he was just joking.” said an ivory unicorn, Fire Dancer, his orange tipped brown mane falling over his face. His fiery orange eyes showed concern as he thought aloud.

“Yeah, but why us?” Silver questioned. “She could have any group of guards come for whatever it… is…” he trailed off as the door opened to reveal a very disheveled looking Twilight Sparkle. “Uh… are you okay?”

“Not really, no.” Twilight replied. “Please come in, I’ll explain everything.”

“You look like a mess.” Crimson said with a smile, entering.

“I appreciate your honesty.” Twilight replied sarcastically. She sighed. “I know, I’ve barely slept…”

Twilight proceeded to explain to the four guardsponies the situation involving Skyset and her artifact. She deliberately left out her potential future link to the loss of Skyset’s and other pony magic. She explained her plan to study the artifact in hopes of finding a way to get Skyset home, as well as what they’d woken up to that morning, showing the four the room in question.

“So we’re dealing with time travel stuff again…” Silver commented. He took a look around the room and frowned. “It looks like a drunk pegasus made a storm of the place.”

“You aren’t kidding.” Fire said, looking around. “Who would be bold enough to break into this place?”

Skyset just stared at the four others, bewildered. Two more horns, and three more sets of wings. One of them even had membraned wings, very similar to the ghost pony that helped her when she first arrived.

“Well to be fair, Twilight doesn’t exactly keep a contingent of guards about at all times.” Starlight pointed out. “Realistically it was only a matter of time before somepony thought they could cash in robbing vulnerable royalty.”

“Starlight…” Twilight groaned. “I am not stationing guards around my castle.”

“Twilight you’ve literally been robbed.” Starlight stated flatly. “Don’t you think maybe you should? Why don’tyou?”

“I just don’t feel comfortable with it, okay? I don’t want all the fuss…” Twilight sighed.

Skyset turned to look at Twilight for a moment. “You really aren’t like royalty at home. They have a posse everywhere they go.”

“I wasn’t always royalty.” Twilight said, looking to Skyset. “Until a few years ago I was just another pony…”

“Just another pony who was Princess Celestia’s personal student, defeated Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, and King Sombra.” Starlight pointed out.

“I had help with Nightmare Moon. I had help with Discord. Technically Cadance and Shining Armor got rid of Queen Chrysalis, and Spike dealt with Sombra.” Twilight corrected.

“...Wow, you really don’t like taking credit for anything, do you?” Starlight asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Call me humble.” Twilight said with an eye roll. “That’s not what this is about. What’s important right now is that artifact and wherever it’s been taken to. There’s the matter of the other two artifacts I had on loan from Canterlot’s museum, but I honestly couldn’t care less about them.”

“Okay, what? Since when would you not care about a priceless, irreplaceable artifact?” Midnight questioned.

“Since the other two don’t depend on getting Skyset home.” Twilight said flatly. “I’ll happily take the fallout for losing the museum’s artifacts… but I won’t see Skyset stranded in a time that is not her own cut off from everypony she knows and loves.”

Skyset was very torn, just as she seemingly had been the entire time. Now royalty would potentially get in trouble with other rulers of the nation… all in the name of making sure she was taken care of? None of it added up to her. It went against everything she’d ever been taught.

“We did a few magical checks, but it seems like whoever did this was pretty thorough when it came to scrubbing the evidence.” Starlight suggested. “I’d guess they have a horn at the very least, but that’s about all I could tell you. They left not a hoof chipping nor hair of their presence… they were clearly accounting for the fact that Twilight and I are pretty good when it comes to that sort of thing…”

“And here I was hoping they’d just be some dum dum.” Crimson sighed.

“They can’t all be that easy.” Fire responded.

While they were talking, the grayish blue bat pony had made her way over to a wall and seemingly started a conversation with it. She glanced to the window and then back to the wall before nodding.

Skyset seemed confused, continuing to stare at the scene before her. The pony talking to the window confused her the most. She wondered if the pony was a bit crazy, but clearly this Princess, who seemed to care a lot more than she could have expected, trusted them. Who was she to question it? Maybe it was a flesh-wing pony thing?

“Any idea when this might have happened? Any kind of time frame?” Crimson asked.

“Sometime between the hours of around ten last night and seven this morning.” Twilight replied before glancing to where Midnight had sat on her haunches. Twilight rubbed the side of her head for a moment as a vague wispy blur phased in and out of her vision. A spirit. She did her best to concentrate, but whatever it was refused to take on any sort of shape for her. “...a spirit… of course, I should’ve thought of that…”

“According to this lovely little garden bunny here…” Midnight said, patting the spectral rabbit the majority of the room likely couldn’t see. “Our perpetrator went north. They didn’t see much else… also they want you to garden more, Twilight.”

“Garden?” Twilight asked, tilting her head.

“Outside the castle, yes.” Midnight answered with a nod.

“What is she talking about? What bunny?” Skyset questioned, tilting her head.

“A nature spirit.” Midnight said with a smile. “They feel Twilight’s castle could use more plants is all. Thankfully that gets us a lead… thank you very much, you’ve been very helpful.”

“Nature spirit?” Skyset questioned.

“Midnight Sonnet is a spirit harmonist. She interacts with the natural spirits of the world and the spirits of the deceased in order to keep things running smoothly.” Twilight explained. “...can I trust you all to handle this from here? I unfortunately have a lot on my plate and I need to be here to take care of it…”

“I… think we can take it from here.” Fire said.

“Starlight, perhaps you should go with them…?” Twilight suggested, looking to the unicorn.

“Me? What can I do that they’d need me for?” Starlight questioned.

“...it could be a good opportunity to make friends… plus your magical expertise may prove useful.” Twilight pointed out.

“....whatever you say, Twilight.” Starlight sighed. Three in the morning was way too early for a start to a day like this. “I’ll go pack my saddlebags.” she said as she made her way out of the room.

“Is that… I mean… nevermind.” Crimson said, not liking taking a non-guard with them. But Twilight probably had her reasons.

Twilight seemed to get what Crimson was thinking and smiled. “You don’t need to worry about Starlight, she can hold her own…” she said reassuringly. “Trust me. I’ve tried.”

“She did smash that first Tezogar drone pretty bad…” Silver pointed out. He could still vividly recall that day as well as the crater the unicorn had left in the Everfree somewhere. “Twilight’s right, it’ll probably be fine.”

“That she did. We’ll be fine.” Fire said with a smile.

Author's Note

More explainy stuff because I'm not sure it is clear in this chapter, a couple of things.

Twilight calls upon "Team 77". Team 77 is just one of 100 elite guard teams that have been put together, referred to as "Independent Operations". They're comprised of guards who are or have proven to be exceptional, willing to risk everything. They have the leisure of taking on special requests, or focusing on harder to crack cases, as they desire, so long as they continue to work diligently. Teams 1 through 50 are Royal Guard, or rather, just guards that typically work under Princess Celestia's sun, though they are not limited to that. The same goes for teams 51 - 100, these are Lunar Guard, though they also are not limited to just working nights.

I feel like I should also address Alicorns in general. You might have seen one if you read through this chapter (one that isn't Twilight Sparkle). There are two types of Alicorn in this universe, the natural born Alicorns, and Ascended Alicorns. Twilight Sparkle, or Princess Cadence would be examples of Ascended Alicorns, whereas the other Alicorn that appeared is a natural-born Alicorn. Natural born Alicorns are no stronger than the average pony, however. They're just ponies like every other pony around. In fact, they might even have some disadvantages. One example of this would be Pegasus flight. An Alicorn can do this as well, of course, but the Alicorn has to expend more magic to fly than a Pegasus would, because they have the body weight of an Earth Pony, whereas Pegasi in this universe are a tad bit lighter naturally than other pony types to aid in their flight.

And the last thing, there was mention of "Tezogar". Tezogar were an interdimensional species that wanted to claim all universes for resources. They basically acted as a hive, with one big central brain having them go out and destroy worlds and plow them for everything they had to offer. They were incredibly formidable, and usually just facing one had to have a group of individuals take it out.

I think that's everything, but please feel free to ask questions! I'll try to clarify anything I might have missed if it needs it.

Chapter 5 - Following The Trail

“We might want Skyset to come with us as well.” Starlight Glimmer said as she stepped back into the Castle of Friendship’s foyer, saddlebags upon her. “There’s a good chance she may resonate with the artifact if it’s close, since they’re both displaced in time.”

“Meaning…?” Silver Dreams asked curiously.

“It’s possible to identify when she came from. We can use this fact to our advantage like a sonar once we’re close.” Starlight clarified. “If something comes back with the same time of origin as her, we know it’s probably our artifact.”

“C-come with you?!?” Skyset questioned. “W-with more unicorns?” She questioned, eyeing Fire and Silver warily.

Midnight gave the mare a confused look. “What’s wrong with unicorns?”

“Not you too…!” Skyset groaned. “T-they read your minds! And… and and if you make them mad, they zap you!” At this, Fire Dancer burst out laughing.

“Well, this one certainly knows what I’m thinking, and I certainly feel electric around him.” Midnight said with a grin before planting a kiss on Fire Dancer’s lips. “But I’d personally call it something oh so right rather than wrong.”

“Wait, what?!?!” Skyset demanded. “D-did you just… kiss the unicorn?!?”

“I mean, he is my husband.” Midnight said simply.

Skyset groaned. “I give up trying to understand this timeline.”

“If she gets her tail in a twist that bad over a unicorn and a bat pony, wait until she finds out some ponies date gryphons and dragons.” Silver commented as he started for the door.

“You’re all weirdos!” Skyset exclaimed.

As the group made their way north of Twilight’s castle they eventually came to another home with a broken window. A pegasus stallion stood staring at the window with clear rage.

“Not cool.” he hissed.

“Thunderlane?” Starlight asked. “It is Thunderlane, right?”

“You’re that new unicorn in town that’s always hanging around Princess Twilight… and uh… who are all of you?” he asked looking to the others.

“Crimson.” Crimson said, gesturing to himself, he then gestured to the others. “Fire Dancer, Midnight Sonnet, Silver Dreams. We’re looking for someone who did something similar somewhere else. Do you know anything at all?”

“Only that they stole one of my flight competition trophies, busted one of my windows, and went that way.” Thunderlane said, pointing towards town. “I tried to chase ‘em down but they zapped me out of the air.”

“Zapped you?” Starlight questioned.

“Yeah, y’know, horn lasers. Hit my left wing.” he said, spreading his wings to reveal a section of charred feathers.

Skyset held back an I told you so. She just stared on.

“Ouch. You all right?” Fire questioned.

“Aside from the toasted feathers and being a little shaken up from a bad landing… and completely ticked off about the whole thing? Peachy.” Thunderlane replied.

“Did you manage to get a good look at them? A cutie mark? Coloration… anything?” Silver asked hopefully.

“Brown cloak. Blue fur. Couldn’t see anything else.” Thunderlane snarled. “They’d show their face if they weren’t such a coward!”

“That gets us something to go on at least… what time did this happen?” Midnight asked.

“Five this morning.” Thunderlane answered. “I’d just gotten out of the shower when I realized somepony was in my house.”

“Appreciate the information. Anything else you guys can think of?” Fire asked the group.

“Maybe I can isolate their magical signature from Thunderlane’s injury?” Starlight suggested. An attack like that was sure to leave a bit of a mark, at least for a bit.

“Be my guest.” Thunderlane said, holding out his wing.

Starlight approached and lowered her horn. It flickered to life and her aura spread over Thunderlane’s wing. She picked apart the energies she was feeling. Once she dug past what was clearly Thunderlane and separated it out she did pick out what looked like the faint remnants of unicorn magic. The aura pulsed green around the charred feathers a few times. “...I’ve got it.” she said, letting her horn go out. “I should be able to pick out their signature later if we find anything.”

“Good thinking, Starlight.” Fire said, then turned to Thunderlane. “And thank you for the information. Hopefully we’ll be able to stop them.”

“Hope so. Good luck… thanks for keeping Equestria safe.” he said before turning back to the window. “I wonder how much this is gonna cost…”

“We should head the direction he pointed out before…” Silver said, starting that way. “Why do I get the feeling we’re about to go on a wild goose chase?”

“Silver, shut up. You’re going to jinx it.” Midnight said with a frown.

“Too late, if that’s the case.” Crimson said. “C’mon guys, let’s go.”

As they headed into a deeper residential part of town it seemed they wouldn’t find another sign of anything amiss… until…

“The horror, the horror!”

“What was that?” Silver demanded.

“That sounds like the flower trio…” Starlight said before casting her gaze on a pink earth pony sitting on a lawn with a trashed garden and… “Broken window…”

“What’s with whoever we’re chasing and breaking windows?” Midnight demanded.

“I’d say it looks like they’re breaking into stuff.” Skyset deadpanned.

“Yeah, but why always windows?” Midnight asked. “I guess it works, but it’s loud, messy, and dangerous.”

A cream colored earth pony stepped out of the house and lowered her nose to the ground, sniffing about as she walked, her focus like a razor. She brushed her two toned red mane out of her eyes a few times before giving up and continuing to sniff around the window.

“Okay, I know earth ponies like the dirt and all, but what’s her deal?” Skyset whispered.

Silver approached and decided the best way to find out was to ask. “Uh… ma’am… what are you doing?”

“Can smell it.” the mare replied. “That awful pony… all over our home…”

A third earth pony entered the scene, a sharper pink than the one currently lamenting their situation on the lawn. She gazed at the assembled ponies past her disheveled curly lime colored mane. “You’re royal guards… oh thank goodness. It’s awful…”

“Let me guess, something was stolen.” Starlight tried.

“No… but our garden is ruined!” the other pink earth pony with a golden mane cried.

“...your window is broken and that’s what you’re upset about?” Midnight asked in confusion.

“We’re upset about the broken window too… but we sell flowers… who wants to buy flowers from ponies with a torn up garden? That’s bad for business…” the lime maned earth pony pointed out. “Plus it’s probably going to cost a lot to fix that…”

“Something like this should be covered though, shouldn’t it?” Crimson questioned.

The golden maned pink earth pony sniffled. “I-I kept telling the girls we should get insurance…”

“Ouch. Maybe this’ll be a lesson to that.” Fire said with a weak smile.

“The Apple Family are pretty crafty.” Starlight suggested. “Perhaps one of them could quote you a good price on patching it up?”

At this the golden maned pink earth pony turned to Starlight. “Y-you’re right..! Applejack’s never let us down..!”

The red maned pony’s ears perked as Midnight approached. She could feel something from this bat pony. Something… strangely calming. “U-uhm… hi…”

“So like… you totally don’t have to do this but… you’ve got their scent?” Midnight asked hopefully.

“Y-yes! I do… I… oh… oh you want me to track them don’t you?” the red maned pony questioned, sitting up on her haunches, her tail wagging not unlike a dog’s.

“Roseluck, no! Guard work is dangerous work!” the golden maned pony whined.

“I know that! But… Lily, if I don’t what if somepony else’s home gets broken into? I don’t want that…” Roseluck countered, her ears flattening. “They could use some help…”

“Should we be allowing this?” Fire questioned to the others.

Silver seemed to debate internally before suggesting. “I don’t see any immediate danger… and we’ve already got Skyset with us…”

“So long as she’s choosing to and knows it could be dangerous and that she has no obligation to do this.” Midnight said, looking between Roseluck and Fire. “I don’t see the issue with her accompanying us for a short bit… But if we get into any trouble you stay back, understand?”

Roseluck nodded promptly. “O-of course! I’m not… I’m not a fighter. I’d just get in your way…”

“I don’t feel right about it, but I think I’m outnumbered.” Crimson said. “Fine.”

“Wait, we’re actually going to do it?” Skyset said, almost worriedly.

“Well, you’re not a guard either, but you’re coming along.” Crimson pointed out.

“Err… right.” Skyset winced.

“Let’s just make sure we make keeping Roseluck and Skyset safe our priority. At the first sign of any significant danger I’ll teleport the three of us to safety… I’m technically a civilian too.” Starlight pointed out. Despite not technically needing a guard’s protection herself, there technically were rules and procedures to follow.

“That seems like a good idea.” Roseluck agreed with a nod. “B-but I should warn you I get teleport sick…”

“Just uh… don’t face me when you do it and I think we’re good.” Starlight chuckled nervously.

Skyset stared at the communication, almost unable to believe it was happening before her eyes, but said nothing.

“...you come back to us in one piece, alright Roseluck?” the lime maned earth pony said, stepping close and ruffling her mane. “We’ll make your favorite for dinner when you get home.”

Roseluck smiled. “Thanks, Daisy… Alright, they went…” she trailed off before starting to sniff at the ground again. She carefully avoided a few shards of broken glass with her hooves, treading especially lightly before turning and facing towards the south. “I think they went this way…. No… wait… yes, they went this way..! I can smell…. Mare… maybe my age? She smells… fancy…”

“Fancy?” Midnight questioned.

“Smells like… expensive products… like… lotions?” Roseluck pondered. She’d smelled this before. But where? It vaguely reminded her of Rarity’s scent. Rarity would always leave behind what to others was a pleasant scent, but to a pony like Roseluck was a rich miasma of individual things she could pick out. Rarity’s shampoo, right down to the brand name… the lotion she used on her hooves. She could even tell if Rarity had been to the spa based on the scents of the shampoos and other products they had there… but this wasn’t Rarity’s scent. Rarity would never use that brand. “I… don’t know who it is.”

“Might be helpful to get a lead, but the good news is that it’s not essential information. Mainly the location is what’s immediately important.” Crimson noted.

Roseluck began heading off in the direction she’d indicated, occasionally taking a moment to sniff the ground to ensure she hadn’t wandered off the trail. Her muzzle scrunched and she glanced up to see they’d entered a more populated area. That would make things tricky. “I… might need a moment… lots of scents around here…” she noted.

“I have to say, it must be interesting having such a sensitive nose…” Starlight pondered.

Roseluck glanced to her. “It uh… has its ups and downs. Some things can be really overwhelming, even if they wouldn’t bother some other ponies.”

“Auntie was telling me that she could smell the neighbor’s cooking from all the way at the other end of her street now.” Crimson said with a light chuckle. “She says it makes her hungry and slightly miffed because she doesn’t want to smell what they’re making.”

Roseluck dodged and weaved her way through a few ponies passing by that gave her confused and curious looks as she sniffed about. Eventually she stopped and looked back. “I’ve found her again… she… turned down this way!” she said, galloping for what was essentially an alleyway.

“How predictable.” Fire groaned, leading the charge behind.

As they made their way through the alley, the cream colored earth pony took them on several turns before eventually coming back out into the open, heading west. She stopped when her nose unexpectedly bumped wood.

Roseluck backed up and eyed what her nose had bumped. Stairs. She looked up the stairs and frowned, her ears splaying back. Train platform. “Oh…”

“Oh indeed…” Midnight said, using her wings to propel herself up above the earth pony and onto the platform, skipping the stairs entirely. “Let’s consider our options here… they probably got on a train…”

“The last train that would’ve left wouldn’t have been too long ago… where could they be headed?” Silver questioned.

“Well, off this line we have… Canterlot, Appaloosa, Las Pegasus, Dodge Junction, Duskmoon Depths, Tall Tail…” Midnight listed off, a growing sense of worry slipping into her voice. “B-but all of those trips are multi-day trips except for Canterlot, which is only a few hours away.”

“I dunno if it helps, but they smell like they use fancy things… I don’t think they’re going somewhere small.” Roseluck suggested. Then again, Rarity lived somewhere small… “Maybe they’d be heading for Canterlot?”

“Canterlot seems likely to me.” Starlight suggested. “They’re a powerful magic user, that much we know… Canterlot has a large population of skilled magic users… use of expensive personal care products also potentially suggests upper class…”

“Let’s go with our guts.” Crimson said. “Let’s go to Canterlot.”

“If we can’t find them in Canterlot we may be able to intercept them at their next destination if we’re fast enough… we should have at least the rest of the day. If we can find any more clues, maybe we can alert the other stations to be on the look out.” Midnight suggested.

“Taking the train would be slow and cost precious time… I could probably teleport us…” Starlight suggested. She glanced to a nervous looking Roseluck.

“I-If it’s all the same with you guys… I think I’d prefer not to leave town… I don’t wanna leave the others right now… not too far.” Roseluck said sheepishly. “This is getting a bit… much for me.”

“Of course.” Silver said with a smile. “You’ve already been a huge help. Thank you, Roseluck.”

“Be safe, and get that window fixed.” Fire winked.

“Let’s go. We gotta move.” Crimson said.

Roseluck gave a brief wave before turning and trotting off back towards town.

Starlight took a breath and let it loose as her horn flared to life with her trademark blue-ish green glow. “Is everypony ready? Any other potential cases of teleport sickness I should be wary of?”

“I teleport all the time, I’m good.” Silver said simply.

“I can handle a teleport.” Midnight added.

“T-teleport…?” Skyset said nervously.

“Yeah. Where we flash outta here, and appear somewhere else.” Crimson said casually. Skyset’s eyes widened.

“Oh, nononononono!” Skyset said immediately, shaking. “Absolutely not no way no how you are not making me do that crazy unicorn madness.”

“Crazy… unicorn madness?” Crimson questioned. “I’m supposed to be the funny one.”

“It’s nothing abnormal, Skyset. All it does is move us to somewhere else much faster than we could through other means of transportation.” Fire commented.

“Y-you’re just saying that! You wanna torture me with your unicorn wizardry!” Skyset said shakily. Fire raised an eyebrow.

Starlight sighed. “Skyset… you remember the timber wolf? And the pizza? I’ve never done anything to hurt you… and I wouldn’t suggest something that could.” she tried patiently. That was part of friendship. She had to be patient with others. Skyset’s fears were real, even if she felt they weren’t warranted. “If it helps, I could describe to you what you’ll feel before we do it.”

Skyset swallowed. “I-I guess… you didn’t hurt me b-before….” She shut her eyes tight. “Ooooh. I hate this so much just do it!” she said, gritting her teeth.

Starlight resumed preparing the spell. “Now… you’re going to feel my magic envelope you… for a brief moment, you’ll feel a bit warm and like you’re moving very quickly… try not to panic… for some ponies it’s very disorienting, though it usually lessens with practice.” Starlight explained. “For some… they get teleport sick… that’s basically a really dizzy feeling and some nausea, but it’ll pass. Might be best to close your eyes.”

She waited a few seconds before… FLASH.

When the light faded, they weren’t standing at Ponyville’s train station, but instead outside a tea shop. The owner of said tea shop backpedaled a few hoof steps, holding a hoof to her chest. “I… oh goodness… I hadn’t expected…” she panted. “I really ought to get a designated place for these sorts of things.” she said, brushing a bit of her brown-ish orange mane from her face.

“Eheh… sorry, Cinnamon.” Starlight said weakly. This was probably the tenth time she’d nearly given the poor unicorn a heart attack.

“N-not to worry… Though… oh! Oh goodness…” Cinnamon said, stepping back at the sight of a pegasus that seemed on the verge of being ill. “Your pegasus friend isn’t looking like she enjoyed the ride too much…”

“If you call that enjoying it… I… oh…” Skyset tried to speak, but her face turned VERY green.

“Someone get a bucket…” Crimson said.

At this, the tea shop owner trotted in place for a moment with worry before her horn flared and a trash can zipped through the door. She set it near the pegasus. “Here… use this.” she suggested, releasing the trash can from her purple glow.

Skyset took the bucket and proceeded to make horrific sounds for the next two minutes. Crimson winced as Skyset groaned in between. “Ugh, why….” she whined.

“The technical explanation is a bit complicated.” Starlight said, scratching the back of her head. She admittedly felt a little guilty, but time was of the essence. “Suffice to say some ponies are particularly sensitive to the sensation of teleporting. You’re uh… not one of the lucky ones it seems… you can build up a tolerance to it with repeated experiences.”

“Miss Glimmer…” Cinnamon said with a sigh. “I don’t think now is the best time for that explanation… give her some time to recover first.”

“R-right, sorry…” Starlight said sheepishly.

“I-I’m done…” Skyset groaned. “Now my whole mouth and nose have the taste and smell of acid…”

Several napkins were offered to the pegasus in the glow of a purple magic aura, matching the one around Cinnamon’s horn. “Here… you might want these…”

Skyset took them without questioning, her mind only focused on getting rid of what she was feeling right now, but that would still take time.

“You wait here, I’ll go get you some water.” Cinnamon suggested before hurrying inside.

“Well, she’s awfully nice.” Midnight said, content with the shop owner’s generosity.

“There’s a reason this is often where I pop in.” Starlight commented with a grin. “Cinnamon Chai’s always been a nice pony. Twilight comes here sometimes, so that’s how I found out about the place… you okay, Skyset?”

“Peachy.” Skyset groaned.

“She’ll be fine in a moment, most likely.” Fire said.

“Probably.” Skyset said. “If magic weren’t so horrible, there’s another reason it sucks.”

Starlight tapped her chin. “It doesn’t happen to everypony. It’s sort of like… how some ponies get sick on amusement park rides. A lot can do it just fine, but sometimes some ponies are a little more sensitive to stuff like that.”

“If it weren’t Starlight, I’d say the unicorn in question put that little extra bit in there on purpose…” Skyset groaned.

“I did warn you that it might upset your stomach, to be fair.” Starlight said gently.

After a moment, Cinnamon Chai returned with a glass of sparkling water. She held it out in the glow of her magic. “Here… I dunno if you prefer sparkling or not, but this should help ease your stomach some.”

Now that she was more coherent, she nodded and took it, but was wary of the drink, considering it was a unicorn who had served it. They’re not as bad as you think. Let it rest. She shook her head and sipped at the offered drink.

“I don’t suppose you’ve seen anything at all suspicious today, have you, Miss Chai?” Silver inquired, looking to the mare.

“Suspicous? Hm… well there was this stallion here earlier today that kept looking at Fleur de Lis… but Fleur clearly wasn’t interested in-” Cinnamon started.

“No, no, we mean something like, legally suspicious, not gossip.” Midnight commented.

“Oh! Eheh… sorry… I can’t say I have, no…” Cinnamon Chai said, her ears folding back.

“Please let us know if you do.” Fire said. “I’m gonna give you a way to call me.”

“Oh! Yes, of course. Anything I can do to help in apprehending the unsavory types that’d threaten our lovely community.” Cinnamon Chai agreed with a nod.

“I believe we’re looking for a unicorn with a blue coat, and a brown cloak.” Silver recalled, remembering Thunderlane’s description.

Cinnamon Chai’s eyes widened. “...A pony like that did come through here! Just a little while ago!”

“Did you happen to get a name?” Midnight asked hopefully.

“Did they use any magic?” Starlight questioned suddenly. If they’d used anything significant, she might be able to track them!

“No… and not that I’m aware of.” Cinnamon said with a sigh. “I did see their cutie mark when they took a tumble though! It was a ruby! And their tail was braided, a lighter blue color.”

“Helpful, though they could easily change that.” Crimson noted.

“Pyxl… can you get me in touch with HQ?” Silver asked.

A tiny metal pony poke her head out of Silver’s mane and she fluttered into the air with her pink wings. “Calling..!”

“IOT HQ, this is Hot Mic speaking, what can I do ya for..? Team 77, right?” a stallion’s voice emanated from the tiny metal pony.

“...can you get me a list of blue unicorns in Canterlot with ruby cutie marks? Also lighter blue tails.” Silver asked.

“...looking for a pony I see… it’ll take me a bit, I’ll call you back as soon as I have the details.” Hot Mic replied. “That’s a… blue unicorn, lighter blue than their coat tail… and a ruby… cutie… mark… do I have that right?”

“Eeyup.” Silver replied.

Pyxl gave a nod. “Call ended… hmm…” she said before hovering over to a menu. “Tea… what do you recommend?”

“Huh? I don’t… do… tiny robots drink tea?” Cinnamon Chai questioned.

“Not exactly… but I can taste things. I am curious.” Pyxl said before hovering back over to Silver. “Now isn’t the time for that though…. I might come back another time!”

Starlight stared at the tiny breezie-like contraption for a moment before shaking her head. PONETs hadn’t ceased to fascinate her, not since seeing Magnum Opus for the first time. She knew that they had originated in the future, though not entirely why what they were were not a violation while what she did was. Her experience with Chronus suggested to her only that they must have some purpose in being brought back, or that in some way their existence in this time wasn’t a problem for the future.

“We should probably ask around in the meantime.” Midnight suggested.

“Getting a call!” Pyxl suddenly chirped. “Putting it on…!”

“Hey, 77! Hot Mic here… got you surprisingly exactly one result. Her name is Radiant Jewel, she lives at 2496 Sunrise Street… no history of criminal activity that we’re aware of aside from a few minor accounts of shoplifting, for which she was properly reprimanded… what’s a pony who can afford Sunrise Street doing shoplifting? Weird… that all you need?” Hot Mic asked.

“I believe so.” Silver confirmed. “Thanks, Mic!”

“No prob! Any time.” Hot Mic replied before the call ended.

“That is suspicious.” Starlight commented. “A pony who could afford Sunrise Street would have no need for shoplifting. That’s wealthy territory.”

Sunrise Street was upper class Canterlot, though far from its wealthiest neighborhood, it was typically a place of three to four bedroom houses, fancy lawns, and the occasional hot tub.

“Let’s see if we can go find out.” Crimson said.

Author's Note

Only thing I really wanna go over in this chapter that may need some explanation at this point is... Why is Roseluck acting like a dog?

She's a Werewood. What's a Werewood? Werewoods are kind of like werewolves, but with Timber Wolves. They can shift between their base form (their pony selves) and a "Werewood" form, which gives them bark along the fronts of their legs and backs, sharper teeth, and their manes and tails become leaves. They are omnivorous, and require more water than the average pony. They are long lived, some think they are immortal they live so long, though they are not. They also have intense canine-like instincts which leads to them having dog-like tendencies. There are more details about them, but are not relevant to the story here so I won't bore with any more, just wanted to give a brief bit of information about them.

Chapter 6 - Sunrise Street

Sunrise Street was nothing but home after home showing off beautiful hedges, neatly trimmed rose bushes and lawns, and lots of tall windows. Several ponies were carrying on their days, many tending their various yards.

A pegasus delivered mail at a leisurely pace, headphones on their ears shutting out the outside world.

Midnight Sonnet glanced to Skyset and Starlight Glimmer. “I think you ought to stay back, just in case they freak when they see the guard at their door.”

“...no way.” Starlight said with a frown. “I don’t like the feeling I’m getting from that house.”

“What feeling?” Silver asked before blinking a few times. “Is it… like that feeling of being watched? Cause I feel like I’m being watched…”

“Yes.” Starlight said curtly.

Midnight seemed to be staring at the cobblestone, a frown slowly crossing her own muzzle. Unbeknownst to the others, she was watching several beautiful white vines tinge and darken, withering under a dark influence of some kind. “...there’s bad energy about this place…” she said, following the trail of corruption to the home ahead. “...there may be something nasty in that house.”

“I… kinda like the idea of staying back, myself. Somewhere… distant.” Skyset said.

“I’m almost inclined to agree, but you’d be a bit far from anypony else.” Fire said. “If something snatched or went after you we’d have no warning.”

Skyset gulped. “R-right…”

“Let’s consider how we want to approach this…” Silver suggested, looking to Skyset and then back to the house. “We know the pony we’re after is likely a pretty good mage…”

“For certain.” Starlight confirmed.

“We know that there may be dark spirits at play…” Silver said, looking to Midnight.

“Unquestionably.” Midnight agreed.

“We’ll need both inside if this goes south… we should call some backup to make sure Skyset is safe.” Silver said with a tone of finality.

“Perhaps Spearmint and Cinnamon Stix would be good?” Midnight asked. “And Nightcharm, so we have a medic with both groups. Or perhaps… maybe we should just send Skyset to the estate? She’d be far safer there with everypony.”

“Sapphire could get here and get her out in a flash.” Silver suggested.

“Let’s not upset Skyset’s stomach again so soon.” Starlight countered. She knew a pony only got past teleport sickness with repeated experiences, but she felt the poor pegasus had gone through enough for one day. “She can teleport here, but they should probably walk back.”

“Good call.” Crimson said. “She’ll be safe, and there’s lots to do at the mansion.”

“T-teleport here?!?” Skyset cried. “Another unicorn???”

“For crying out loud, we’re not out to get you!” Crimson groaned. “Look! I’m a pegasus! These are my friends you’re insulting here.”

“I-I didn’t mean… but…” Skyset whimpered. “F-fine… I’ll go…”

“Good. Give her a call.” Fire commented. “And lighten up, will you Crim?”

“Yeah… sorry…” Crimson said with a sigh.

Silver used his pendant to send word to Sapphire Chisel telepathically. Seeing as they were both in Canterlot it would certainly be in range.

Moments later an azure flash signified the arrival of grayish blue unicorn, her purple-blue mane with its single white stripe in slight disarray. She looked to the house and raised an eyebrow. “Feels like bad news.” she muttered. “I just got out of bed, what’s up?”

“We’re gonna check this place out.” Crimson said, gesturing to Skyset. “This is someone we need to protect. Was thinking she could go back to the mansion while we did our thing here.”

Skyset was going to try her best to go through with this. It was a dangerous place, after all. But she couldn’t hide that she was scared.

A violet glow spread across the unicorn’s body and lunar guard armor materialized in its wake. “I’m on it… also hey Starlight, good to see ya.”

“Uh yeah… you too.” Starlight said with a shy smile. “Better meeting than last time.”

“Hopefully it stays that way… so you’re… Skyset was it?” Sapphire asked, approaching the pony Crimson had gestured to.

“Y-yes…” Skyset said, her voice cracking, even as she tried to will it not to.

Sapphire tilted her head. Was this pony really that scared? “You wanna grab a milkshake on the way over? I know of a pretty nice place.”

“Ah no! No, I don’t think I could handle that.” Skyset said, putting a hoof on her barrel. “I uh… don’t think my tummy wants dairy right now.”

Sapphire started to walk down the road towards a fancier part of town. “Alright then, follow me.”

“Thanks, Sapphire.” Crimson said.

As Sapphire continued to walk, leading the pegasus to the estate she called home, an uncomfortable silence had settled between them. Sapphire eventually thought to try and break the silence. “So… I’m Sapphire Chisel…” she tried, making what she felt was a poor attempt at being social. She floundered for a topic to discuss before settling on a simple idea. “What brings you to town? You’re from out of town, right?”

Skyset sighed. “Understatement of the century.”

“Yeah? You come from far away?” Sapphire pondered. “I come from a small town out in the Everfree… peaceful quiet little place, a bit smaller than Ponyville.”

“You could say I do.” Skyset said simply.

“So… you get teleport sick? I’d heard that from Silver.” Sapphire commented. “I’ve heard it helps if you close your eyes first.” she offered. Sapphire had never been one to experience it, so she wasn’t entirely sure what it was like, or what helped. There’d been many remedies from carrying ginger ale to weird things involving standing on one hoof. None of which had any scientific backing, of course, save for ginger ale helping with an upset stomach.

“Apparently so.” Skyset said. “Who’d’ve thought?”

As they continued they eventually came to a large gate. Sapphire pushed it open with her magic and stepped through. “So, this is the place…. Could hit the hot tub, if you like, you do seem a bit tense.”

A hot tub visit did seem nice, and this was definitely the kind of place that could have it. That other pony further back wasn’t kidding when they said “estate.” The place was huge. She almost didn’t believe it was real. A decently sized lawn, and pony statues, rearing up on their hindlegs on either side of a pathway that led right up to the entrance. She shook her head. No. This unicorn probably had ulterior motives, and besides, if she said no, she’d leave her alone, right? “Eh… I’m not really a… hot tub… mare. I get all… eh… let’s just say it’s not pretty.” Hopefully she’d buy that.

“Huh… really? Never heard of a pony who didn’t like them.” Sapphire chuckled. She reached the door, opened it, and stepped in.

On the other side of the door was a foyer, with a glossy, checkerboarded floor colored grey and white, a staircase that led up to a second story. There were paintings on either side, one depicting a unicorn stallion, the other depicting a chiro pony mare. There were doorways on either side as well, and a pink unicorn with a short black mane, in what could only be described as a generic maids’ uniform stood in the room. She casually dusted off a bookshelf with a yawn, the duster held in a scarlet aura. “Hey, Sapphire. I see we have a guest.”

Skyset’s ears immediately and involuntarily pinned to her head at the sight of yet another unicorn.

“Hey, Rosette, how’re things?” Sapphire greeted. “And yes, this is Skyset.”

“They go.” Rosette said simply. “Skyset… that’s a nice name. I like it.”

“Ah… th… thanks…” Skyset said weakly.

“What’s Lotus up to?” Sapphire asked curiously.

“Taking care of Midnight’s little monster.” Rosette said with a laugh. “She seems cranky today.”

Sapphire glanced out the window. “Bit bright for little bat pony eyes, isn’t it?”

“I think that’s why she’s cranky.” Rosette suggested.

Skyset said nothing, listening to the two converse. She’d be content if they never spoke to her. Hopefully whatever that criminal was up to would be ended quickly, then she could be home.

It was at that moment that an entirely different sort of pony entered the room. Her coat was black like Silver’s, her mane a pale yellow. From her back sprouted thin, translucent wings that sparkled lightly when the light got them just right. From atop her head, a horn protruded and curved slightly backwards. Her slitted golden eyes fell on the pegasus. “...is… she okay?” she asked softly.

Skyset was not okay. Every fiber of her being was no longer indicating this was a safe place. She wanted out. Anywhere. She felt the urge to run back to that forest, but of course, she had no clue where it was now. There was nowhere she could go. She was trapped.

The strange new pony winced reflexively. “...goodness, you poor thing, you’re terrified… What’s happened?” she questioned worriedly.

“Ah, Honey Spark… I’m… I don’t really know what’s up, I’m assuming I’ll learn that later. Silver, Crimson, Fire, and Midnight are out on a thing and wanted her somewhere safer. She seems kinda jumpy… maybe whatever they’re dealing with freaked her out?” Sapphire tried.

Honey shook her head. “No… it isn’t that. She’s actively afraid… i-is it me? If I’d known we were having guests I would’ve…”

“You don’t need to hide yourself, Honey.” Sapphire said flatly. “Not in your own home.”

Skyset was not afraid of one singular unicorn. She was afraid of all of them. She found it interesting that this one would find herself a target, but she didn’t care about that right this very moment. How many more were in this home?

“I don’t think it’s just me she’s afraid of…” Honey said unsurely. “But I can only read emotions, not thoughts…”

“Is there… something we could do to help you feel more at home, Skyset?” Sapphire asked awkwardly. She was scared of something in the room? What could she be scared of? Was it the setting? “Is… are you feeling overwhelmed?”

Skyset tried to speak, but no words came out. She felt like she’d run a marathon. She suddenly was feeling lightheaded.

“Skyset? You don’t look so good… do you need to sit down?” Sapphire asked worriedly.

“I-I…” she sputtered, but she really was panicking. She didn’t want to panic. She tried hard to will her body not to panic, but at this point it was too late. It was getting worse by the second. She couldn’t even see in front of her any more.

“Somepony fetch Nightcharm!” Sapphire called. “I think she’s gonna-”

And that was the last thing Skyset heard before slipping into unconsciousness.

The eerie sensation that had haunted the home had only grown worse and they had decided it was enough cause to force their way in when nopony would answer the door. Inside the home was a mess. One might expect that an upper class Canterlot home would be well put together, but the interior painted a very different picture.

A potted plant was upturned on the floor along with the stand it had been sitting on. There was a couch on one side of the room with a coffee table in front of it, the coffee table’s glass surface having been shattered at some point. Red smears intermingled with broken glass suggested somepony had fallen on it.

“I don’t like this…” Silver said, swallowing as he eyed a trail of red from the coffee table to a hallway.

Midnight was thankful the sight of blood was something that no longer sent her into hysterics. “The corrupt energies are building down that way.” she said, pointing to the hallway. “We should get moving.”

Starlight Glimmer, though she didn’t have any guard armor of her own, kept her confidence and wits about her. She stared at the coffee table for a long moment before concluding. “Somepony likely fell, or was pushedonto the table… they made their way down the hall after getting up… likely to the bathroom for first aid…”

“Great…” Crimson sighed. “I hate to think the worst, but what if it’s a murder case?” Crimson asked. “Or at least attempted.”

“I wouldn’t rule it out…” Starlight muttered. This had not been how she’d planned to spend her day, but here she was nonetheless. She carefully stepped ahead. “Bingo… they went for the bathroom… trail goes back out and down the hall to what I think is a bedroom… and uh… the magic we’re feeling is stronger back there… be ready for anything.”

“Right.” Fire said. “I’ll take lead.”

As Fire opened the door to what Starlight had indicated was likely a bedroom, the situation became much clearer. A blue unicorn with a lighter blue mane and tail, sat huddled in a corner, she was covered in small cuts and staring wide eyed at what appeared to be a glowing shard of crystal, pulsing with an inky black aura left on the bed.

“R-Radiant Jewel?” Silver called out.

“S-stay back! Get away!” the blue unicorn promptly screamed, turning her head to face them. “Don’t come any closer!”

“Radiant you need to calm down…” Silver urged.

The crystal went completely dark. Within a near instant a glowing blue-ish green wall of light was stopping thousands of needle like projectiles.

Silver quickly glanced to Starlight, the origin of their shield. “N-nice catch. How did you-”

“Just a hunch… get down!” Starlight cried before throwing herself to the floor.

Silver quickly followed and so did Midnight and the others.

A much larger pillar of crystal shattered Starlight’s shield and slammed into the wall behind them, shaking the house in a way that threatened to cave the roof in on them.

“AH! Cut it out!” Crimson called out over the noise. “You’re going to kill all of us, you included!”

Silver looked up to see the blue unicorn now hovering in the air, the gem seemingly attached to her chest. It seemed to grow around her, forming some kind of shell. The unicorn looked both angry and terrified at the same time. “G-get out of my house!”

“Radiant stop!” Starlight cried. “You’re not in your right mind! It’s messing with your head!”

“I… I don’t need… to… I-I have what I want!” Radiant shouted. Her horn flickered a few times before its purple aura faded to the same inky blackness that flitted about through the crystal armor she now effectively wore.

“Oh no.” Silver groaned. His eyes went wide and he vanished in time for a launched shard of crystal to hit where he’d been moments before. He faded back next to Crimson. “We’ve got to get out of here, if she keeps doing stuff like that she’s going to bring the house down on-”

Flash

The group appeared outside the home in time to see another crystal skewer it’s way up through the roof.

“... us… oh sweet Celestia… what the hay is that thing!?” Silver demanded. “Uh… thanks for the second save, Starlight.”

“...a-any time…” Starlight replied, brushing a few shards of crystal from her tail. “I don’t know what it is, but it’s dark magic… you might wanna call reinforcements if you have any… I don’t think this is going to go well…”

Before Silver could respond another shard of crystal jetted out from the house, shattering a window. It whistled through the air before crashing into Silver’s peytral, shattering on impact. “Aghhhh!” The alicorn was thrown back into a roll. He sat up, slightly dazed before gazing, somewhat in horror at the significant dent about where his heart would be if it had gone all the way through. “Okay… do not get hit!”

“No kidding!” Crimson exclaimed. “Really glad we sent Skyset home.”

“Crimson, do you have Shadow?” Fire asked, referring to Crimson’s PONET, who preferred to remain out of sight, as she was more shy in nature. “Maybe one of you with PONETs send out an alert to our group?”

“A-already done.” came Shadow’s meek voice.

Good.” Fire said, unsure of what to do next.

Starlight stared as the crystal coated unicorn hovered from the hole she’d made in the ceiling before turning towards them. Sparks danced along Radiant’s body and her eyes glowed bright enough that white was all that could be seen. She fired a quick test shot at one of the nearby shards and winced when it bounced off and blasted the cobblestone instead. “...as I thought… no direct magic attacks! They bounce off…” she warned.

Several more shards of crystal were launched at the group, this time primarily at Crimson.

Crimson’s response was to take wing, flying into the air to dodge where he’d been standing. “GEEZ!!! Can you not?!?”

Silver wasn’t sure what he could even begin to do without a direct magic attack. “I-I’m not useful in this situation…” he noted.

Midnight’s hoof illuminated with a green aura as she stomped it down to the ground. After a short delay several large vines burst from the road and shot towards Radiant, ensnaring her. Midnight followed up with a sort of yanking gesture, causing the vines to snap tight. The seemed to have success in pulling her further towards them. “Get… down from there!”

Radiant spun in the air, shredding the vines that held her before firing another volley. Midnight jumped back and let out a scream before holding a hoof to the side of her face.

“Midnight!” Silver shouted.

“I-I’m fine! It just grazed me!” Midnight replied, letting her hoof drop. As suggested, there was a small cut.

An azure flash brought Spearmint, a green pegasus mare with a blond mane, Cinnamon Stix, a brown earth pony mare with an even darker brown mane, Fizzy Sweet, a yellow honeybee pony mare with a brown mane and black stripes encircling her hooves, and Sapphire Chisel.

“Whoa…” Fizzy said staring at the mess of torn up road and crystals around them. “P-ponies evacuated right?”

“Most of them started getting really uncomfortable when we were having a staring contest with the door. We encouraged all of them to potentially vacate the area.” Midnight answered.

Spearmint took to the air and flew alongside Crimson. “This looks like it might be a bit much, even for us…”

“We can’t back down now.” Crimson said. “We’re in this. Shadow called for backup, I’m assuming that’s you, but others should have been alerted as well.”

Honey Spark paced as she pondered the news. She could tell something terrible was happening and it wasn’t that far away if the noise was anything to go by. “Nightcharm… how’s… how’s Skyset doing? We might wanna move her and everypony else further away…”

“She’s just woke up. Had to calm her down.” Nightcharm, a dark blue, almost black bat pony, with a pitch black mane and tail said. Her emerald eyes expressed concern. “I don’t know if we should be thinking about moving or not, not in her state.”

“It might be more dangerous for her to stay here.” Honey said worriedly. “...and I’m worried about Cherry and Dusky…”

“I think we should be ready to leave, but it might be too early to make that call just yet.” Nightcharm noted.

“Right… I’ll start getting stuff ready.” Honey said before hurrying off.

“W-why do we have to leave, we just got here!” Came Skyset’s voice, causing Nightcharm to jump, slightly. She hadn’t heard Skyset come to the door.

“Ehh… there’s… wherever our friends went, apparently the situation has escalated. I… can’t say any more than that, but it could come further down here.” Nightcharm stated unsurely.

“W-well… I mean they ARE unicorns…” Skyset said weakly.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Nightcharm said, raising an eyebrow.

“Well I mean… it’s just… easy for them to… do what they… want… why are you looking at me like that?” Skyset questioned upon finishing her sentence.

“Is that why you panicked? Because we have unicorns?” Nightcharm said, raising an eyebrow.

“Can you blame me?!?” Skyset cried. “If left unchecked, they’ll cripple all of us!”

“Skyset, was it?” Nightcharm questioned, already knowing the answer. “Do I seem crippled to you?”

“I-I don’t know. I haven’t met you before. Maybe.” Skyset said unsurely.

“I can tell you right now I’ve had no major issues at all. There is nothing wrong with me. I’d know if something went on that long, and I’ve been around unicorns my entire life. Why would unicorns do that? What reason would they have for doing it?”

“Well, I-I’m sure there’s some rea-” Skyset started

“Name one.” Nightcharm said. “What advantage would that have?”

“How can I???” Skyset cried. “It was probably wiped from my mind!”

“Really.” Nightcharm said flatly.

“YES!!!” Skyset said. “I can’t fly thanks to unicorns!”

“Unicorns made you unable to fly.” Nightcharm deadpanned. “And just how did they manage that?”

“Well they… um… used their magic…” Skyset tried.

Nightcharm hovered in front of Skyset. “Those darn unicorns.” She said flatly.

“But… you… They just let you use yours!” Skyset tried.

“Uh huh. I’m a special one, I guess.” Nightcharm said. “Must be the fur. I use that wonderful shampoo.”

“L-look, I don’t know, okay!” Skyset finally relented. “I wasn’t alive when it happened! I wasn’t even born!”

“Well I’ve been around for about twenty five years now, and I can fly just fine, and always have been able to.” Nightcharm said.

“Twilight said I’m from the future…” Skyset said weakly.

“Oh, the unicorn-turned-alicorn?” Nightcharm smirked.

“Ye… no!” Skyset said. “That’s not fair!”

“Sure it is.” Nightcharm said simply. “Why isn’t it?”

“Because she-” Skyset started.

“Was once a unicorn.” Nightcharm finished. “What an evil pony she is, am I right?”

“Well… no… she…” Skyset tried. “I don’t know, okay! We were told to stay out of unicorn areas because unicorns ruined our lives!”

“Who would tell you such a thing?” Nightcharm questioned.

“It’s common knowledge!” Skyset said. “We’re taught that since we’re young, to protect us!”

Nightcharm sighed. “Well, I don’t know what happened in your time, but I can tell you now, whatever nonsense that is isn’t happening now. We’re all friends here, and our group just wants to help you out.” she let out another sigh, and sat down on her haunches in front of Skyset. “Look. I can’t force you to do anything, but I can promise you that nopony here is out to get you. Whatever world or time you came from taught you about unicorns? Forget it, because it doesn’t apply here. I don’t want you to trust them, just… give them a chance. I think you’ll find that there’s no ill intent here. In fact, I challenge that you’ll actually have a unicorn friend before you leave.”

“W-what? No way!” Skyset gasped.

“Prove me wrong, then. Give them a chance, and if you can honestly say that by the time this is over… You’re from the future, you claim? How about if I give you something, like a Bit or something to take with you? Surely whatever monetary thingy you’re using now it’ll put a lot of value in something that old. Overnight riches.” Nightcharm said confidently. “And it won’t cost me hardly anything to do.”

“How do you know I won’t just try not to be friends just to get it from you?” Skyset questioned.

“I’m so confident that that won’t work, that I’m willing to take the chance.” Nightcharm looked towards Skyset out of the corner of her eye and smirked. “...unless you’re just a bitch. You’re not a bitch, are you?”

“N-no!!!!!” Skyset said indignantly.

“Then I see no problem here.” Nightcharm said with a smile. “Enjoy your stay!” Nightcharm said, giving her a pat on the head, then turned and headed in the direction Honey Spark took off towards.

“That… she…” Skyset sputtered. “Oh fine. Whatever.”

Author's Note

Meant to get this out last week. Got really busy, and had a bit more editing than usual for this chapter to do. But here it is!

Only thing I feel like I need to note here is the "estate", Fire Dancer, the unicorn with Crimson, Silver, Midnight and Starlight, is incredibly wealthy, though not through his own work. It's all inherited wealth, and he decided to let his friends and team utilize the home because he didn't really see himself using a giant house on just him, Midnight, and one foal. So it's a home for all of his friends, serving as a base of sorts for Team 77, including former teammates as well who are taking a break from action.

This one I kind of felt stuff started happening really fast. I was also trying to think of different ways to slow it down but given this is in a short story form factor from what we're used to, I couldn't think of a good way to make that happen.

Chapter 7 - Crystal Clear

A hooded figure stood atop one of the homes in the upper class residential neighborhood of Canterlot, staring at the crystal monstrosity that was now on a tirade of property damage. The figure’s cloak was a deep, rich purple with a gold trim. Upon the flank was a symbol resembling a sun with a blue circle and red rays.

A device of some sort sat in the pink ear of the hooded figure, a wire disappearing into their hood.

“Target in sight.” the hooded figure said quietly, almost serenely, devoid of any emotion. Complete monotone.

“What do you see?” a voice asked from the ear piece.

“I see several royal guards engaged with the target. They appear to be losing. Target is a unicorn, corrupted by dark magic. Property damage extends to seven homes.” the hooded figure replied without hesitation.

“Engage target. Bring it down.” the voice commanded. “Use lethal force if necessary, but avoid any loss of life if at all possible. Am I clear, agent Morning Star?”

“Yes, ma’am.” the hooded figure replied before leaping from the roof top. As Morning Star reached the apex of their jump, their horn briefly flashed with a green aura, creating a glowing platform for their hooves. They landed upon the platform and jumped again, dispelling it in the process.

Morning Star made three more of these jumps before allowing themselves to fall, their horn shimmering again as their fall slowed so that they could touch down to the ground almost silently. They looked up to the unicorn trapped within crystal appraisingly.

“Who… are you?” a red maned, black alicorn questioned upon landing. His armor had a few dents from various impacts.

“Requesting status report.” Morning Star said softly, ignoring the alicorn.

“Creature appears invulnerable to direct magic attacks, attempt something indirect. Dodge to your left now!” the voice in her ear commanded.

Morning Star leapt to the left, narrowly dodging a crystal that struck the ground and stuck into it like a javelin. Their horn flared and the crystal was torn from the ground. They spun around and launched it backat the source, the floating blue unicorn trapped under a layer of crystal.

The floating unicorn in response was surprised, not having expected their own attack to be turned back against them. It struck true and part of the crystal surrounding her shattered like glass.

“Surrender peacefully!” Morning Star shouted, though somehow retained her monotone. “This is your one and only warning! Ponies have been harmed by your actions and they will not be tolerated!”

Crimson Tail and Fire Dancer stared up at the new arrival. Crimson was the first to speak. “What the heck? There aren’t supposed to be any others here!”

“That’s not just any other.” Fire commented. “Somepony called in the big guns.”

“That’s… an Eclipse agent!” Starlight called as she disentangled herself from a rose bush she’d been thrown into.

Morning Star avoided another attack before leaping into the air again. “Attempting Purification Spell Number Two O’ Nine.” she stated. Her horn shined brightly as she prepared her spell.

“Cease! Do not att-” the voice in her ear warned.

Morning Star’s horn dimmed in obedience. “Spell canceled.”

“You don’t have enough time to cast Two O’ Nine. The target is too fast for you.” the voice cautioned. “Reflect as before!”

Morning Star used another one of her magically conjured platforms to dodge another shard of crystal before catching, slowing, and launching it back the direction it came from.

Once more the floating unicorn’s crystal armor was struck. “Sssstop it! Stop it! STOP IT!”

“You must part with the artifact.” Morning Star said in the same monotone she’d held, whilst standing upon one of her green platforms. “Your thoughts have been altered. You are not thinking clearly.”

“I-I’m thinking more clearly than I ever have! All these ponies… th-they’re the reason…! They’re the cause of it all!” the blue unicorn howled.

“Your mother’s illness has nothing to do with these ponies.” Morning Star stated calmly. “You cannot help your mother in the state you are in, Radiant Jewel. You will only bring her further harm.”

“Don’t talk about her! Don’t talk about my mother! U-unless… it was you!” Radiant hissed. “Y-you’re one of them!”

“Your mother’s condition was brought on by handling things she should not have… much like you are now. Do not make two members of your family victims of these things. You can still be saved. Please separate yourself from the crystal at once.” Morning Star replied.

A small volley of crystal shards shot for the hooded figure. Morning Star went to summon a shield but was too late… several shards struck and stabbed into her legs. The hooded unicorn didn’t seem to respond to the injury in the slightest. “You don’t know anything!”

“I know that you are hurting. That you have been promised things that cannot be delivered to you. False promises are common from the whispers in your mind.” Morning Star cautioned.

“I said… you don’t… know… anything!” Radiant roared. Another volley of crystal jetted forth.

This time Morning Star vanished in a green flash before appearing on the ground. “Subject Radiant Jewel is unresponsive to attempts to sway her… advice requested.”

“Have the guard presence distract her while you prepare Two O’ Nine.” the voice in her ear commanded.

Morning Star glanced to the others. They were not in ideal shape, but she supposed she didn’t have much choice. She caught a glimpse of information she needed from their armor. “Independent Operations Team 77, distract Radiant Jewel.” she said in her same monotone. “Do not let her attack me.”

“Great.” Crimson said, then turned to the others. “How exactly do we do that?”

“I guess we’ll think of something…” Silver noted. It seemed that Morning Star practically became Radiant’s new target, seemingly drawing a significant amount of the unicorn’s fire. Silver threw a shield up between Radiant and Morning, and winced as he was forced to pour more magic into the shield to mend cracks that spidered along it with each impact. Was there no end to the number of projectiles this unicorn had?! “W-where is she getting all of these… crystals!?”

“They’re magical constructs, they’re not real.” answered Starlight as she poured some of her own magic into the shield. “I think she’s drawing on a Dark Nexus… it can keep fueling her as long as she has access to it…”

“In other words… we’re going to run out of power long before she does.” Silver worriedly realized.

“There’s gotta be another way. I can’t just rush in and tackle her, or I would.” Crimson noted.

“We don’t need to overpower her. We just need to last long enough.” Fire suggested, then added his own magic to the shield.

Morning Star’s horn flared brighter and a circumscribed hexagram of golden light appeared before her. “Purification Spell Two o’ Nine.” she declared in her monotone.

Radiant Jewel immediately froze up as a golden aura surrounded her and the constant storm of sharp, shiny, projectiles stopped. She shuddered and let out a scream, sounding as if in agony…

Suddenly, Morning Star flinched back, a violent shower of sparks exploding from her horn before she fell on her haunches. “S-spell fizzled… we will have to attempt a different approach…” she winced before getting up.

Starlight glanced at the hooded unicorn’s horn and frowned seeing the tip ever so slightly blackened. That magical backfire was nasty… if that happened again, she would be at serious risk for some kind of horn injury. She didn’t know much about Eclipse’s purification spells, but she doubted the next one would be any weaker than the last. “I… I’m going to try something risky. Something dangerous and stupid.”

This caught the Eclipse agent’s attention. “Starlight Glimmer… do not. The situation is dangerous enough as it is.” Morning Star cautioned, again in her same monotone.

“Stop me later… this ends now.” Starlight hissed, gritting her teeth. “Silver, Fire… I’m going to stop supporting the shield, you’ll need to pick up my slack while I prepare.”

Fire was already pouring more into it. “I don’t like where this is going…” he said with a strained voice.

Starlight cut off the flow of magic to the shield and shifted her attention to forming her own spell… she stared up at Radiant Jewel as she was beginning to recover from Morning’s attempt at stopping her and… lashed out with an attack of her own.

“Starlight Glimmer you are not authorized or licensed to use that spell.” Morning Star said, approaching.

“S-so sue me! It’s this or nothing!” Starlight howled. “Don’t interrupt my concentration or I might hurt her!”

Starlight opened her eyes to see nothing but darkness. She could feel things watching her in the dark… but she couldn’t focus on them. She galloped forward, deeper and deeper. She had cast herself into Radiant’s mind. Several warped images occasionally flitted by like little projected images on walls that didn’t exist. Each showing some kind of dark, twisted fate for ponies Starlight didn’t recognize. She didn’t know them, but she could feel the mare’s care for them.

“I-is this what dark magic does to a pony’s head?” Starlight pondered aloud as she finally spotted what she was after.

A blue unicorn sitting alone in the dark, tear tracks evident on her face. A shadowy figure paced around her in an almost predatory manner. “They’ll leave you just like they left your mother…” it whispered in a tone that one might believe was concern.

“Don’t listen to it!” Starlight shouted.

The unicorn flinched and looked up at the intruder. “W-who… y-you’re that pony that was… h-how are you in my head?!”

“Let’s just say you’re not the only pony capable of using magic they shouldn’t… Radiant Jewel, I don’t know what’s happened to you… but you have to stop.” Starlight pleaded. “Ponies have gotten hurt…”

“They’re trying to hurt me!” Radiant whimpered.

“No… we just wanted to get back what you stole.” Starlight said pleadingly. “I… I know you don’t have any reason to trust me… but I know where this road leads. I’ve been desperate before. I’ve done stupid and dangerous things before b-because I thought I was doing the right thing… thought I was saving them… I-I’d just deluded myself because I didn’t want to accept reality…”

“I-I know what you did! E-Everpony knows what you did, Starlight!” Radiant shouted. “What you did to that town!”

Starlight shook her head. “You don’t know anything about it other than what’s been out there… and I’m not that pony anymore… I made a mistake, Radiant Jewel… a mistake that hurt a lot of ponies, myself included… I don’t wanna see you make that same mistake. Don’t listen to what it tells you… you need to put the crystal down.”

“How do I know this isn’t some kind of trick? That I won’t be left like my mother?! It’s all those stupid ponies’ faults! They took her away from me!” Radiant cried shakily.

“Because… I-I’m just as vulnerable as you right now. In your head… I can’t move my body. At any point I could be killed and I’d be powerless to stop it. You have control and I don’t.” Starlight explained. “I’ve left myself wide open for this…”

“I-I could k-kill you. I could do it right now…” Radiant said weakly.

“You could… but you don’t really want to do that… do you?” Starlight asked.

“...I-I do… I want to… w-want to… s-see you…” Radiant trailed off, holding her hooves to her head. “W-why does it hurt? I-I don’t understand…”

“That drive to kill doesn’t belong to you, Radiant. You aren’t that kind of pony. You never were… Don’t you see the shadows? Hear the things they’re whispering…?” Starlight pleaded. “It’s not us, or Eclipse that wants to leave you like your mother… it’s them.”

“Don’t listen to her, little pony…” the shadowy figure said calmly. “It’s a trick… why else would a pony waltz into your head?”

“Bold talk coming from the one who did it first.” Starlight snarked.

“Shut up! SHUT UP!” Radiant screamed. “I-I need… need to… to think…”

The shadow turned its attention to Starlight. “Thank you for the tidbit about your body being vulnerable… Starlight Glimmer. I could come after you right now, you know… I have many friends…”

“Do your worst.” Starlight sneered. “I’m not about to fall for your crap. I’ve manipulated enough ponies to know when someone’s trying to do it to me.”

“...w-what will happen to me… if I put down… the cr-crystal?” Radiant finally asked.

“You don’t want to put down the crystal…” the shadow whispered. “The crystal is yours… it is your power… your safety… your salvation… justice…”

“I-I don’t… want… no! That’s… that’s not me!” Radiant shrilled.

Starlight swallowed hard. Good… Radiant was starting to question it… That was a good sign. She debated on saying anything else or letting Radiant continue on her own. Anything she said or did could be critical right now.

“Tell me, Starlight! What happens if I put it down!?” Radiant demanded.

“Y-your body’s likely been damaged by the magic… y-you will be hurt. Your mind has been affected badly…” Starlight answered.

“...I-I could end up like my mother if I put it down…” Radiant realized.

Starlight didn’t answer. That was a possibility, if what had happened to her mother was what Starlight thought.

“...what’s happening… to me? T-to everypony out there? It’s all so… fuzzy…” Radiant whimpered.

“...you’ve destroyed your home… and six others. Ten ponies have been injured, minor lacerations. Three more have suffered severe injury. All have been taken to the hospital by now… nopony has died… but if you don’t stop this now, somepony could get hurt a lot worse…” Starlight answered. Though there had been few ponies left in the neighborhood prior to the fight breaking out, a few stragglers had found themselves caught in the crossfire regardless. “You have the power to save them… and it’s not a power anyone has promised to you. It’s a power all of your own.”

“S-save… save them…” Radiant said shakily.

“...those ponies could be mothers and daughters too, Radiant… you’d never want to take away anypony else’s… would you?” Starlight asked.

“This is ridiculous… you’re not actually going to listen to this little monster, are you, Radiant?” the shadow questioned.

“I’ve made up my mind…” Radiant Jewel replied.

Starlight’s eyes shot open and she fell to the ground, breathing hard. It was a spell she’d used only three times before… and those times she didn’t have things constantly pounding at her own mental defenses. This time it had taken every ounce of fortitude she had to keep those things in Radiant’s head out of her own. “O-oh Celestia…”

The crystals surrounding the floating blue unicorn’s body retreated and both her and the crystal fell.

“C-cast your… purification spell… again…” Starlight panted.

Morning Star’s horn erupted again with her emerald aura. Again the circumscribed golden hexagram appeared… and this time Radiant Jewel’s falling form flashed a bright golden before the spell faded away in a much calmer manner.

The unconscious unicorn was caught by a green pegasus who struggled to slow the two of them before eventually flying her over and setting her down before the group. “G-got her!”

“Nice catch, Spearmint!” Silver cheered.

Fire Dancer panted heavily. “Haven’t expelled that much magic in a while for a shield…”

“And I did nothing. Again.” Crimson deadpanned.

After a moment of silence the hooded figure reached up with her hooves and removed her hood, shaking out her golden mane before wincing. “Well… I can think of something I could perhaps use your help with… y-you’re a medic, right?” she asked, a lot more emotion now evident in her voice. She held up a bleeding foreleg with many shards of crystal still embedded in it. “I-it would appear I could use one.”

“Now that’s something I can do.” Crimson said, flying down. “You seem to know a lot about us.”

“As soon as I was briefed about this case, I was informed that Indie Ops Team 77 was already on it… so I was briefed about you as well.” the pink unicorn admitted as she sat on her haunches. “...admittedly I know far more about Miss Glimmer, over there… who I will be having a very lengthy discussion with…”

“Do whatever you have to… I understand what I did.” Starlight said before pulling herself to her hooves. “I won’t apologize for it either… but I will accept whatever consequences I’ve earned. I’m not a pony who runs from her problems anymore. I’ve already seen where that gets me.”

“Gonna need to practically burn up my whole kit on you.” Crimson commented. “You look like you got in a fight with a window and lost.” He pulled out disinfectant and materials needed to stitch up the wounds. “It’s gonna hurt, but you’ll be fine.”

“I can handle a little pain.” she chuckled. She glanced over to Starlight. “You’re an interesting pony, Miss Glimmer… I can see Princess Twilight’s worked wonders on you.”

“If by interesting you mean a walking disaster.” Starlight said with a sigh.

“You knew what you did was illegal, and yet you did it anyway. By all rights you shouldn’t even know that spell, let alone be using it… and yet you so boldly chose to do so right in front of exactly the pony that would have you arrested for it…” the pink unicorn said with a tone of surprise. “...why?”

“Look around us.” Starlight said, gesturing with a hoof. “If this had kept up… it could’ve gotten so much worse… I doubt that was anything more than the beginning of the destruction that thing could’ve caused.”

“...you chose to put the needs of Canterlot above your own.” the pink unicorn said with a smile. “You chose to put Radiant Jewel’s needs above your own… you risked both your life and freedom for Equestria.”

“Yes and I- wait what?” Starlight questioned.

The pink unicorn winced at the stinging sensation of the needle. “What you did was bold… dangerous… perhaps a bit reckless and stupid… but you did it for the right reasons.”

“Keep talking, but move less. Movement makes it easier for me to hurt you.” Crimson said, not taking his eyes off of his work.

“Sorry.” she said sheepishly. “...I’ll be honest with you, Starlight Glimmer. We’ve had Eclipse agents watching you pretty much twenty-four seven since that incident with Twilight Sparkle. We believed you to be dangerous and a threat to the safety of Equestria… and I can see that we were right… and wrong at the same time.”

“I… is that supposed to make me feel better? I had no idea…” Starlight said, her ears folding back.

“We were right. You have the kind of knowledge to do a lot of damage, if you wanted to… but I can see that’s not the kind of thing you would do if you could help it. Princess Twilight was right to put her faith in you. I think it’s time we closed our case on you.” the pink unicorn said simply. “My name is Morning Star, by the way.”

“...I-I guess I could say I’m honored… and more than a little happy I’m not going to some kind of facility.” Starlight admitted, blushing. “I don’t think I deserve that kind of trust, to be honest…”

“Starlight… it isn’t for you to decide whether you deserve it. You have earned that trust… the one who trusts you the least… is you. You’re a brilliant mare, you have some regrets and you’ve made terrible mistakes… but you also seek to make up for them everywhere you go.” Morning Star countered. “...come to Eclipse HQ tonight at seven. I think High Mage Moon Shadow would like to have a few words with you.”

“I… and this isn’t just some kind of setup, right?” Starlight questioned.

“Not at all… if anything, it’s a congratulations… and perhaps a job offer.” Morning Star suggested. “...that being said, I can’t protect you again… do not cast that spell again, or next time somepony may be forced to subdue you.”

“Before today I’d never thought about or planned on casting it again.” Starlight admitted. “...I don’t like using that kind of magic… it was a means to an end that I once thought was justified… but like a lot of the rest of the stuff I’ve done in my life, it was a mistake.”

“A mistake that saved lives today, Starlight. There’s good and bad that can come from everything. Do not forget that.” Morning Star replied.

“Something to think about, I guess.” Starlight sighed. “I’m… going to go get something to drink… I’ve had a long day. I’ll catch up with you all later, alright?”

“Don’t drink too heavily, you’ll want to be sober for that meeting.” Morning cautioned.

“I’m not out to get drunk, I just want something to take the edge off my nerves.” Starlight said before glancing to Radiant Jewel. “Will… she recover?”

“...I can’t say. I don’t know.” Morning Star admitted with a sad expression. “Perhaps in time she will.”

“I guess that’s the best answer I could hope for…” Starlight replied. She tried not to imagine herself laying on the ground in the mare’s place. It was all too familiar. She could’ve gone down that road herself. What kind of things would the great and terrible Starlight Glimmer have been able to have done? In another world, perhaps ponies remembered her as a dark sorceress, bringer of suffering, corrupter of minds. She was all the more thankful in that moment that Twilight had managed to stop her. That Twilight was the merciful and loving pony she was. She’d be remembered as the mare that made a mistake instead of the monster she could’ve become. It wasn’t perfect… but it was probably the best outcome she could’ve gotten. “I… need to tell Twilight thank you more often…”

During the conversation, Crimson had efficiently stitched up everything that he could see on the surface. “Try to take it easy. How about your underbelly? Anything there?” he asked.

Morning Star moved her cloak out of the way. “I… don’t think so? I don’t feel anything off.” she said unsurely.

“How in the world were you still standing there?” Silver questioned, looking to all the bloodied crystal shards on the ground around her.

“Oh! I can’t really feel pain in the traditional sense when I’m in trance like that… I-I’m dimly aware that I’ve been hurt, but… it’s hard to explain.” Morning Star admitted.

“Dr. Crimbo says you should be on the sidelines until these wounds heal. I stitched them up, but if you strain they could pull.” Crimson said. “You’re good to go otherwise. Maybe see a more… doctor doctor when you get a chance, just to make sure there aren’t any infections or anything.”

“Oh, of course. I’ll be sure to.” Morning Star nodded. “You’re very gentle with a needle, Crimson, I’m really impressed. Much better than the pony who usually patches me up!”

Crimson blinked. “Well that’s a new one. Still though, glad I could make it as painless as possible.”

“Give yourself some credit, you’re better than you think.” Fire said. Crimson said nothing, looking away.

“I’ve got to ask, you seem like a really powerful mage… surely you know a healing spell or two?” Midnight asked curiously as she approached. She eyed the crystal nearby warily. It’s influence was already corrupting the spiritual flora in a way she didn’t like.

“Oh I know several.” Morning Star admitted. “But with my line of work, things can get pretty dangerous pretty quickly… its best if I avoid magical healing at all costs, unless it’s absolutely necessary to keep me alive. It keeps my risk of complications low in the event I actually need it. If I healed every cut, scrape, and broken bone with magic, I might be put in a very bad situation, should I need fast magical healing for say… a damaged organ or something.”

“Makes sense.” Fire said. “I wouldn’t have thought of it.”

Several flashes of light announced the arrival of several more ponies clad in the same cloaks as Morning Star, most unicorns, although a couple of pegasi were in the mix as well. Most immediately went over to the crystal, though three hung back.

A royal blue coated unicorn with a lilac mane approached, a crescent shaped ear ring hanging from either ear. “You did good today, Morning Star…” she announced warmly.

“It was Starlight and 77 that did the majority of the work.” Morning Star admitted, her ears folding back.

“They’ll get their dues, sugar.” the royal blue mare said with a grin. “I want to thank all of you for your work here today, truly. It could’ve been a much greater disaster if it weren’t for everypony’s efforts… and you, Morning Star, need to stop selling yourself short… they gave you the opening you needed, but you were just as instrumental in this as anypony. We all have our parts to play, hun.”

“Oh stop… I don’t need my ego inflated, High Mage Moon Shadow…” Morning Star huffed.

“We’ve got things here for now, why don’cha go and take care of the final things? Check everypony out and make sure they’re alright… including Princess Twilight’s ‘future pony’. She may have been exposed as well.” Moon Shadow said simply. “We’ll clean up and have Princess Twilight’s artifact returned to her ASAP. And get this one some help. She’s gonna need it…” she said, looking to the unconscious Radiant Jewel. “Poor dear…”

“Yes ma’am. Of course.” Morning Star agreed. She stood carefully. “I uh… you all don’t mind keeping your pace a little slow for me, do you? I’m afraid I shouldn’t strain myself… doctor’s orders.” she said, winking at Crimson.

Author's Note

Sorry for the delay! It's been a crazy month and I kept forgetting to edit the chapter.

I am admittedly a bit conflicted about this chapter. I like it, the events I feel are important, but some information was just... suddenly there. I asked my co-author to help me clarify it a bit. It's not fantastic but I am hoping it smoothed it out a bit.

Chapter 8 - Coming Around

Honey Spark knocked at the door to Skyset’s room patiently. She couldn’t help herself. She wanted to know exactly why Skyset was so afraid. Was it her? If it was, was there anything she could do? “Skyset?”

The pegasus finally opened the door, a weak look on her face. “Yes…?” She questioned, more nervously than anything else.

Despite the appearance Skyset might be trying to keep up, putting on an act couldn’t hide one’s feelings from a changeling. Honey could feel every ounce of fear the mare had in spades. “I… just wanted to talk… you’re… afraid of me… but, I don’t really know why… and…” Honey trailed off before taking a deep breath. “I just want to understand.”

“Ah… new… ponies… scare me.” Skyset said, though it didn’t sound convincing.

“I guess I could understand that… I’m a bit… shy myself, admittedly.” Honey said weakly, playing with a bit of her mane. “It’s… hard for me to speak up sometimes about certain things… I’ve actually been thinking about how to approach you for probably an hour as silly as that sounds… but… you seem more afraid than just than like… o-okay… so… what do you know about changelings?”

At this, Skyset blinked. “Is… that a type of unicorn?” She asked.

Honey seemed surprised at this. “Well… we’re descended from unicorns, in a way…” she admitted. “We’re empaths. Changelings can naturally sense the emotions of other ponies… when I look at you, I feel your fear… it’s… not exactly something I can just ‘turn off’, it’s just… a fact of life for me. I just… I’m so sorry I cause you to feel that way…” she admitted. Despite knowing it wasn’t her fault, that she had done nothing to this mare, it didn’t help the slight feeling of guilt over it. This pegasus was afraid of her, even if she hadn’t done anything. Those feelings were caused by her mere presence.

“Uh…. okay…?” Skyset seemed more confused now than ever before, though the fear was definitely still lingering.

“...my kind are… we need love to survive. It keeps us strong… without it we… wither and die like flowers without water… Hate directed at us is like a poison.” Honey explained. “N-not that I think you hate me or would mean to do anything like that… just… how other ponies tend to feel towards us is kind of um… important to us for that reason… that and I… know what it’s like to be scared of others… I don’t want ponies to be scared of me…”

The further and further the explanation went, Skyset found more and more of her fear replaced with sympathy. “Uh…. right. Look I uh… thanks for checking on me and everything, but uh… It’s… okay. It’s just something I gotta get over. It’s getting better, if it helps. But I think for now, I just kinda… need some alone time. Today and yesterday have been a lot to process. I’m thinking I might just lay down for a bit longer.”

“R-right… uh… sorry…” Honey said sheepishly. “I just… personal baggage, nevermind… you um… might wanna stay up through… the others will be back any moment now and I’ve heard somepony wants to interview you.”

Skyset really didn’t want to talk to anypony else, but knew it was likely inevitable. She let out a sigh. “Fine…” she said. “I’ll be here.”

Morning Star could hardly believe how big the place was. It felt like a miniature palace unto itself! She was paid well for what she did, but she doubted she could afford anything quite like this. “Your home is wonderful, Fire Dancer.” she complimented the white unicorn.

“Blame my dad.” Fire Dancer said with a shrug. “I personally would have gotten something smaller, but since it was an inheritance… I wasn’t going to keep it after he died, but then we all just kind of… started using the place as a hub… now it’s a bit more warranted.” he said with a small frown.

Morning contemplated that for a moment before smiling. “Well, it certainly seems you’ve made good use of it! You wouldn’t believe how many of these there are in Canterlot that are filled to the brim with guest rooms that sit totally empty all year round, only a couple ponies living in the place!”

Fire chuckled. “Yeah. No need to waste the space.”

The pink unicorn maid that had been leading ahead of them turned to look back. “This is the room we got her to after she like… uh… had her little fainting spell.”

“How bad was it?” Crimson asked.

“Well it was certainly a shock.” the maid replied, before knocking on the door to the room.

Skyset answered relatively quickly, not saying anything, just staring at who was in the forefront, waiting to hear what this was about.

The unicorn in the cloak stepped closer. “Hello there, Miss Skyset. I’m Morning Star, from Eclipse. I’d just like to ask you a few questions and give you a bit of a once over, is that alright?”

Skyset wasn’t keen on answering questions right now. Despite her reservations however, no one had treated her unfairly. “Okay… If we have to...” she said with a sigh.

“Well it is kinda procedure. So… yeah, I must.” Morning Star admitted with a chuckle. “So… why don’t we start with the beginning… you first encountered an artifact that sent you here from another time period, is that right? Tell me, what did you feel when this happened?”

“Scared, lost, talking to a ghost…” Skyset droned.

Morning Star’s ears perked. “I’m sorry, did you say ghost? Do you believe the artifact made this ghost appear? What did it say or do..?” she asked patiently. That could be cause for concern depending on the mare’s response, though she didn’t show her concern, instead keeping her calm and cheery demeanor.

“Well yeah.” Skyset said. “When I woke up, it was in some ruins in the forest. There was a ghost there that led me to Ponyville.” she recalled.

“...to Ponyville, hm…” Morning Star noted.

“I believe she may be talking about Shadow Sentry.” Honey offered. “He’s a friendly spirit who wanders the forest and guides lost ponies out.”

“That’s him.” Skyset confirmed. “I couldn’t remember his name at first.”

“Hmm, I will have to check back with records at HQ on that later, but I do think I recall hearing rumors of a helpful specter in the Everfree… did you come into direct contact with the thief who stole the artifact from Princess Twilight Sparkle’s castle by any chance?” Morning Star asked patiently.

“No.” Skyset replied, ears folded down. “I didn’t see them.”

“Would you say you’ve experienced any… unexplainable mood swings, unusual thoughts or desires?” Morning Star asked next.

“No… well… there is something unusual for me, but I’m not sure if it’s… anything really.” Skyset said after a few moments.

“Please do share, anything and everything could be important.” Morning Star encouraged gently.

“Just having… I guess second guessing myself on some long-time beliefs.” Skyset said. “Not sure if that’s really something serious or not.”

“What sorts of beliefs? And could you explain why?” Morning Star asked.

“I… not really sure I want to talk about it…” Skyset said reluctantly. “It’s… I dunno.”

“Trust me when I say I’ve heard and seen all sorts of strange things… there probably isn’t much of anything you could tell me that would be all that shocking. I’m not here to judge what you believe in, only to ensure you’re safe and healthy.” Morning Star reassured.

“Do I have to?” Skyset said, ears folded back. “It’s embarrassing…” If she were honest with herself, she didn’t understand being embarrassed about it, but in this moment, she definitely was. These ponies from Equestria’s past were rubbing off on her too much, she thought, though she questioned herself on how much of a bad thing it was.

“I think my superiors might skin me if I don’t get everything right.” she said with a smile that suggested she was exaggerating. “Please?”

“Fine…” Skyset sighed. “I’m second guessing my opinions on other ponies. There.”

“Opinions on other ponies… romantic feelings, or..?” Morning Star questioned, genuinely not sure what the pegasus meant.

“No, nothing like that…” Skyset said, shaking her head. “Where I come from, it’s normal to… uh… hate… anything that isn’t a pegasus.”

“Ah. So a sort of belief of racial superiority, perhaps. What’s got you questioning those beliefs, Miss Skyset?” Morning Star asked calmly, as if Skyset hadn’t just admitted to racism.

“Just…” Skyset said, looking off into the distance. “I dunno. Everything I was ever taught… isn’t really happening here? Kinda the opposite.”

Morning Star smiled. “Well, that doesn’t sound like any nasty magic playing with your mind, so that’s good! Just good old fashioned life experience.” she said with a giggle. “I don’t know what things are like in your culture or time… but maybe what you’ve learned here in the past can help steer things in a happier direction, hm?”

“I doubt it’d ever fly there, but…” Skyset sighed again. “I dunno.”

“Last thing I need to do is a few quick little analytical spells, shouldn’t take too long… do you have any unusual magical traits I should be aware of?” Morning Star questioned.

“I don’t have any magic.” Skyset deadpanned. “That’s not a thing where I’m from.”

Morning Star’s horn illuminated with a green aura and a matching aura surrounded Skyset. “Hmm… well that’s not entirely accurate. Oh goodness me, these readings are something I’d expect from a four year old filly, not a grown mare… it would seem your wing nodes are inhibited by some sort of… hmm, it’s like a locking mechanism, that’s rather fascinating… very intentionally designed… there’s even a few traps in there…” she said, licking her lips. “You’ve never flown, have you?”

“Uh… no.” Skyset said, almost wistfully. “Only the queen and her foals can fly. We… cannot.”

“...a terrible injustice, if that’s some manner of control asserted by your government… I can’t break this without risking harming you or myself. It’s too deep and too powerful. Still, it doesn’t seem to be any kind of dark magic at least.” Morning Star said, letting her horn fade out. The aura around Skyset went with it. “To do such a thing to a pegasus… that’s beyond cruel… you have my deepest condolences…”

“I’m pretty sure the government isn’t behind it.” Skyset said. “We’re pretty… well… I was… pretty sure unicorns might have had something to do with it. I don’t know how the queen would even do such a thing, but I’m not so convinced it was unicorns now.”

“Whoever it was must’ve really known their stuff.” Morning Star said with a frown. “I hope one day you find a way to be free of it…”

A small chirp emanated from the device in Morning Star’s left ear. She reached up and rested a hoof on it. “I’m just wrapping up with Miss Skyset… yes she’s in the clear. I… of course. No, I… yes, I understand… understood. Crystal, ma’am.”

“Everything okay…?” Silver Dreams asked, speaking up for the first time in a while.

“Oh, everything’s fine! I’m just dismissed for the week and forbidden from operating in any official capacity beyond sending in my report here… Which I just… Kinda did.” Morning Star answered.

Skyset seemed alarmed at this. “I didn’t… get you in trouble, did I?” she asked.

Morning Star held up a foreleg to show the stitches Crimson had done earlier. “Oh no… I’m just injured is all. Eclipse requires its agents to be in tippy top shape, so I’m on a strict ‘stay out of work and get better’ leave, effective now.” she explained.

“Wow. Sounds kinda sucky.” Skyset said. “Hope your rent’s paid.”

“I get paid for that time off anyhow… I actually get paid an extra ten percent of my normal salary for it, since I got injured on the job. Eclipse takes good care of its ponies.” Morning Star said with a giggle. “I might use that time to go catch a movie or something.”

“That’s a pretty fancy vacation policy… wonder how many ponies take advantage of that.” Silver pondered.

“Paper cuts don’t count, and any intentional self harm in an attempt can result in immediate termination, and possibly a fine, depending on the case.” Morning Star cautioned. “Ponies have tried. It usually doesn’t work out in their favor.”

“I’d imagine not.” Crimson said. “Don’t play with the government, they always watching.” he said with a smirk.

“Doesn’t help when you may be required to submit to having your memories of events examined on a regular basis. You’re going to remember if you got hurt on accident or on purpose and your higher ups will find out.” Morning Star explained.

“See, that’s where this is getting hard for me.” Skyset said suddenly. “On some points, it sounds like this time is all happy and stuff, then somepony says something like that and it sounds frightening again.”

“...you’re concerned about ponies being able to see your memories, I’m guessing?” Morning Star asked. “I can understand. Memories can be a very personal and sacred thing. Eclipse agents do not have the luxury of complete privacy. To become one means abiding by that. I’m obligated to allow any work-related memories be examined without question. If it helps reassure you any, in most cases you cannot be forced to allow others to access your memories in most cases. Even Eclipse doesn’t necessarily have the right to force memories out of somepony, though the alternative in some cases may be permanent detainment. That’s unfortunate, but it is a choice given to most. There are a lot of regulations regarding what we are and are not allowed to do in that.”

“Maybe it’d help if you explained why you’re required to do that?” Silver offered.

“...Eclipse agents often work with dark and forbidden magic. We come across all sorts of things that could potentially corrupt us with that dark influence. Being able to examine our memories directly makes deception very difficult. I cannot, for example, hide an artifact and say I didn’t find it. My lie is easily discovered. Additionally sometimes our memories can provide useful information when paired with an outside perspective. Maybe I saw something I didn’t think was of note, but an investigator spies it in my memory and knows that it is.” Morning Star explained. “It is for security purposes, both for my own and for others… much like the ring on my horn. It allows my superiors to cut off my access to my horn at any point. If I’m ever possessed by a corrupting influence, abuse of my magic can be prevented. I also know a variety of forbidden spells. You tend to pick up and learn a lot of information about dark magic and how the spells are constructed… I can be prevented from putting any of that knowledge into practice myself. You can’t become an Eclipse Agent to learn about and abuse that forbidden knowledge.” she explained. She seemed to consider something for a moment. “In essence, the ring on my horn is like the safety on a weapon. Access to my memories is like a logbook of sorts. Civilians aren’t required to be so heavily restricted, but when I became an agent I agreed to the terms that came with it. I was not forced into this, I chose it.”

“Wow, that was… a lot to listen to.” Skyset sighed. “But like… I guess it makes sense. Still… magic’s not a thing where I’m from, and to hear it can do all that… I’m not sure whether to be reassured or more terrified.”

“Magic can be wonderful… or it can be terrible. The events that transpired today are a shining example of that. Civilians were hurt and homes were destroyed… but there were ponies with good in their hearts there to oppose that danger. Magic is neither good, nor evil. It’s how it used that makes it one thing or the other.” Morning Star added.

“Right…” Skyset said, but didn’t sound too sure of herself.

“Don’t worry.” Crimson said. “I think what’s important for you is that nothing’s happening to you or against you. And that won’t happen unless you are okay with it.”

Skyset nodded. “I… Yeah.”

“I suppose I’ll get out of your manes for the evening… take care of yourself, Skyset… and to you all as well, 77.” she said with a nod as she made her way for the door. “Maybe I should have a drink myself, it’s certainly been a while…”

Starlight Glimmer made her way into the grand hall of Eclipse Headquarters. It was decorated in a way that made it feel almost like a palace in and of itself. Marble columns on either side of a dark purple carpet in the entrance, leading up to a large desk up two stairs. A few ponies at the desk, seemingly lost in their work.

Being here in this place made her a little anxious. The subtle warmth of alcohol in her veins kept the edge off her nerves as she made her way up to the desk.

“I was told High Mage Moon Shadow wanted to see me?” Starlight asked.

The bat pony mare at the desk glanced up at her. “You’re in luck, she just got freed up. Head right through that door over there, Miss Glimmer. You’ll want to head straight on through.”

Starlight nodded before heading for the door. The door itself was a thick dark oak with a brass handle. The engravings looked ornate and finely crafted. Aannnnd she was stalling.

“Appleloosan Whiskey, by the way?” the bat pony mare called.

“H-huh?” Starlight asked, looking back.

“I can smell it on your breath. Good taste.” she said with a chuckle. “You can go through the door, really, I promise it doesn’t bite.”

Starlight took a deep breath and made her way through. A unicorn in a familiar cloak greeted her with a quick scan the moment she stepped through.

“Proceed.” was all the cloaked unicorn stallion said, as he pointed a hoof further down the hall.

Starlight hummed awkwardly to herself as she continued through the corridor. There were doors on either side, marked with little more than plaques with numbers for most of them. A few occasionally had cutie marks and names, implying they might be somepony’s office. For some reason she’d always imagined the inside of this place to be a lot more chaotic. It was grand, and clearly ancient. Everything about it radiated power, authority, and status… yet it was mundane. It was a hall full of offices.

She came to a larger set of double doors and two more cloaked ponies to either side of it pushed it open for her to reveal a much larger room. The floor tiles were a shiny black and in the center of the room they formed Eclipse’s oh so distinct symbol in grayscale.

A lone blue unicorn with a lilac mane and gold crescent ear rings stood in the middle of the room, her piercing golden eyes tracking Starlight with every step she took.

Starlight felt her heart pounding in her chest. Anything could be about to happen… Morning Star had said job offer… was it one? What if she refused? The clip-clop, clip-clop of her hooves against the tile suddenly felt like the loudest sound in the world to her.

The door closed.

“Good evening, Starlight Glimmer. Nice of you to accept my invitation.” The blue unicorn said with a smile. “You seem tense, hun… afraid something’s about to happen to ya?”

“I… uh… m-maybe a little.” Starlight admitted sheepishly. She struggled to resist the urge to start rambling as she often did when she was nervous. She felt like she was walking to the gallows.

“You pee a mess on my floor hun and I’ll have them get you a mop.” the blue unicorn chuckled.

“Th-that won’t be necessary. N-no puddles from me.” Starlight said with a weak smile. She tensed up as the blue unicorn approached.

“I am High Mage Moon Shadow, but I’m sure you’re well aware of that…” Moon Shadow explained. She circled Starlight like a shark might circle a helpless foal in the ocean. “Look at you… don’t you just scream power. Your special talent is magic, I suppose it’s to be expected.”

“I-I… thank you Miss uh… I mean High Mage Moon Shadow.” Starlight said shakily.

“Maybe you should’ve had an extra drink before you came over here, you’re shakin’ like a leaf. You ain’t here to be punished, Starlight Glimmer. You’re here because of your performance today.”

“My performance where I blatantly disregarded the law and-”

“And saved many lives.” Moon Shadow interrupted. “Putting others before yourself is the very essence of what it means to work for this establishment here, sugar. You’d make a good agent with the proper training. I could make an agent out of you that’d scare the horseshoes off even the foulest of dark magic users.”

“O-on one hoof, I’m honored, but on the other you did just kinda call me terrifying.” Starlight said, her ears folding back. She felt some of the strength returning to her legs.

“You are terrifying. One of the most powerful mages of our time. It’s fortunate you’re on the right side of things now… what do you think? You’d look good in our robes.” Moon Shadow suggested.

“W-well it would fit pretty nicely with my coat…” Starlight said with a laugh. “B-but I… I don’t…” she trailed off. She took a deep breath to steel her nerves. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not sure I’m cut out for this kind of thing… I don’t like the idea of all the… restrictions and… I don’t know, maybe some secrets I’m better off not knowing.”

“You fear the ring.” Moon Shadow stated simply.

Starlight winced. “I… my magic is everything to me, I don’t like the idea of anypony just being able to… t-take it away at a moment’s notice.”

“You understand well why these rings are important.” Moon Shadow said, tapping the ring at the base of her own horn. “I’m in charge and even I have to wear one… they’re not a bad thing.”

“I know that… but… I just… I can’t shake that feeling. I’m sorry… plus… if I’d done as I was told… if your ponies had the power to shut down my magic today, things…. They would’ve turned out very differently.” Starlight pointed out.

“Questioning Eclipse’s judgement…” Moon Shadow tsked. “From scared little filly trembling like a leaf in my presence to questioning us the next… that’s a bit better, there’s your spine!”

Starlight was taken aback. “I’m… you sound like you’re complimenting me.”

“I am. That’s a lot of progress for just a couple of minutes. Working for Eclipse means working as a group… that does mean one pony’s poor judgement can make things go south for an entire squad. Trust and reliance are very important in our ranks. The most important. You are correct, things would have been worse today had you obeyed Morning Star’s commands. I am grateful you did not.” Moon Shadow said with a sigh.

“Then… wouldn’t I be better off staying on my own?” Starlight asked carefully.

“You’re still not authorized to do those things. Unless you get some kind of license or special exemption from the law, Starlight Glimmer… doing things like that still puts you on our radar. I can’t just make special exceptions for you because you’re Princess Twilight’s roommate. What I am offering you is a chance to use those skills of yours legally… and I’ll admit, having a ring on your horn would make a lot of ponies feel a little bit safer knowing you’re out there, and this is a not so thinly veiled attempt at getting you to agree to that.” Moon Shadow said casually.

“Well, that’s a bit shameless.” Starlight deadpanned. “Good to know there’s ponies who want me ‘under control’ so badly.”

“There are, and I won’t sugarcoat that for you. The world’s full of uncomfortable truths, and if you accepted this job you’d be exposed to many of them. An uncomfortable truth is that many Equestrian politicians don’t think you should have the freedom you do. They want you on a leash. They don’t get what they want. You’re still free, and that’s an uncomfortable truth they’ll be forced to live with.” Moon Shadow explained. “You’d be treated well, with dignity and respect, like any other member here.”

Starlight stared into the golden eyes of the other unicorn. Moon Shadow was slightly taller than her and that made her presence all the more intimidating, but Starlight had found her resolve. “What do you think of me. You keep telling me what other ponies think. How they think I should be handled.” she said as if spitting something bitter out of her mouth.

Moon Shadow raised an eyebrow. “I think you’re brilliant. You’re gutsy. You’re… awkward, a lot more than I’d admittedly expected. Honestly, I thought you’d come in here like ya owned the place or something. You did not. But you’re powerful… and you’re talented… and I personally would want a pony like you working here. Maybe even to succeed me. You’re exactly the kind of pony I’d want for that. You think outside the box. You’ve got a track record of being two steps ahead. Qualities of somepony fit for the job.”

“...and you think that because you think that and not because some politician wants you to do something?” Starlight questioned.

“My thoughts are my own. I ain’t interested in dirty money. I ain’t got time for all of that nonsense with them, I’ve got plenty enough on my plate as it is.” Moon Shadow replied.

“Not the most… compelling or flattering job offer.” Starlight said flatly. “Maybe a little flattering, but also kind of threatening sounding.”

“Your free to accept, or walk out that door… just watch the illegal spells… though I’ll tell you what… situations like today? I’ll overlook them. Sweep them under the rug and give you a pass.” Moon Shadow suggested with a sly tone. “I can’t punish you for saving lives. Ain’t my style. Maybe the pony who came before me would’ve… actually, scratch that, she would have… But I won’t. You just keep being the pony Princess Twilight Sparkle sees in you.”

“I am getting majorly mixed signals here…” Starlight muttered. “First you’re telling me you won’t give me exceptions now…”

“It’s called a test, sugar. I wanted to see how you’d react. You stood your ground today and even under pressure you stood by what you felt was right, right here, right now. I admire that in a pony. You’ve got a strong will.” Moon Shadow replied. “Nice taste in whiskey by the way. I’ll leave the offer on the table. You come here and ask whenever you’re good and ready and it’s a done deal.” Moon Shadow said as she turned towards another set of double doors opposite of the ones Starlight had entered from.

“...that’s it then? What now?” Starlight asked as the other unicorn continued to walk away.

Moon Shadow looked back. “Now? Now I go back to my office, take care of some paperwork, and get the hay outta here for tonight. I’ve got a date with the spa and my pillow for some Zs. Have a goodnight, Starlight.”

Starlight blinked as she stood there, alone as the door on the other side of the room closed. Thoughts of how drastically different her life was now compared to when she was younger briefly danced through her mind. “...every new chapter gets weirder than the last.” she muttered before she turned to leave. She was getting a hotel for the night and heading back to Ponyville in the morning. She’d had enough adventure for one day.

Chapter 9 - Acceptance

A knock came at the door to Skyset’s room. “Skyset?” Rosette Strings’ voice called. “You up? Because breakfast is and it’s waffles, and they don’t stay hot long.”

It took a moment, but the door opened to reveal a very exhausted looking orange pegasus, her red mane looking disheveled and unbrushed. She flinched back upon seeing the unicorn, but sighed. “I’ll be down in a moment…” she said tiredly. “Just need to… collect myself.”

“Good news by the way, Princess Twilight has the artifact back at her castle.” Rosette said. “Figured you might wanna know that.”

“That’s good.” Skyset said, heading back over near her bed and grabbing a brush. “I think it’s good…”

“The other good news is she thinks she’ll have sending you back solved by the end of the day.” Rosette said as she turned to leave. “Guess this might be the last time we see each other so… good luck with whatever’s next.”

“Yeah… thanks…” Skyset said, though to her own surprise, she didn’t sound happy about it. She thought that she should be… back home. Back to normal. But why did she feel so… lost?

There were many benefits to living in high society Canterlot, Silver Dreams had learned. One of his favorites was that any syrup he wanted was always on the menu. Today he went for blackberry. “Wasn’t… mgh, wasn’t Starlight going to meet back up with us?”

“She probably slept in. I know I wanted to.” Spearmint said around a mouthful of her own waffles.

“I’m sure she’ll be around.” Cinnamon noted. “We had quite a day yesterday, after all.”

“Didn’t Rosette go and fetch Skyset?” Crimson asked after a bite. “I wouldn’t think it’d take this long.”

“Good question.” Fire commented. “Hope she slept well.”

A door bell rang off in the distance. “Yes she did.” Rosette said walking past the dining hall. “I got it!”

“I think the past couple of days have really thrown her for a loop.” Silver said, taking a drink of his coffee. “Time travel is weird.”

“...I should probably go with you guys back to Ponyville to try and purify any more corrupted spiritual flora if I can.” Midnight said with a yawn. “...or I could just go if you guys aren’t up for it, but I kinda need to for that…”

“I’ll probably go.” Silver said, taking another bite of waffle. “Nice close to a job back where we started… plus if this is Skyset’s last day in our time, it’d be nice to see her off. Not going to get another chance to talk to her and it’s goodbye, y’know?”

“You talk like you’ve known her for a while.” Midnight said with a laugh. “It’s only been a few days.”

“Yeah… but if it could’ve been longer… I dunno, she seems like a nice pony. Friend material for sure.” Silver said with a shrug.

“And that’s how we have so many roommates.” Spearmint said with a grin. “Amazing we all get along.”

“Well when we all have our personal space to retreat to and plenty of space to get away from each other when we need to, I think that’s not too bad… imagine if we all had to share a bathroom.” Midnight suggested.

“How about no?” Spearmint replied without missing a beat.

“Yeah.” Crimson said with a nod. “I bet Spearmint gets her feathers everywhere.”

“I see more of your feathers laying around than mine.” Spearmint countered, sticking her tongue out.

“Yeah, well, I leave less feathers laying around than both of you.” Midnight countered. She wasn’t technically wrong.

“You don’t have any feathers to begin with.” Cinnamon deadpanned.

“And my feathers spruce up the place anyhow.” Crimson said. “They are red, after all.”

Rosette stepped into the room with Starlight Glimmer behind her. “And the pony you were wondering about. Spoiler alert: She slept in.”

“Yeah uh… sorry…” Starlight said, scratching the back of her head. “Mmh, waffles, and… every kind of syrup I can think of…” she said, staring at the assortment of bottles on the table as she took a seat.

“Hey Rosette, who’s feathers do you find more?” Silver asked.

“Do you like, think I have a collection or something? I don’t pay attention to who’s feathers I clean up. I just toss them in the trash.” Rosette said simply. “Red feather, green feather, black feather, doesn’t matter to me. They’re all just feathers.”

“...but that doesn’t help…” Silver pouted.

“Okay, fine. I’ll tell you what. For the next week, I’ll dump them in your room.” Rosette said with a grin.

“On second thought, nevermind!” Silver backpedaled.

“Is Skyset not up yet?” Starlight questioned, not spotting the pegasus anywhere.

“Was wondering about that.” Crimson said. “Rosette said she went to get her, but she hasn’t come down yet.”

“Think maybe she got confused with all the rooms?” Fire asked.

“Not sure.” Crimson said.

“She was brushing her mane when I left her, but like, I wouldn’t think that’d take this long…” Rosette suggested as she poured Starlight a mug of coffee. “I’ll go see if she got lost. If she shows up before I get back, ring my service bell.”

Starlight took a sip and sighed happily. “This… is just what I needed.”

“How’d your meeting with Eclipse go?” Silver asked.

“...complicated, confusing, and not something I feel like thinking about right now.” Starlight answered. “Right now is coffee and waffles with friends time.”

“Sounds good to me.” Cinnamon said with a smile. “Seems like we don’t get enough of that these days.”

Rosette’s plan of action was to check Skyset’s room. Maybe something had held her up there? She stopped as she walked past a mirror propped against the wall in the hallway. It would be going into the bathroom in a day or so, but for now it’d been left here. She figured it should probably be somewhere more out of the way where it wouldn’t get knocked over, but figured here was as good as any place for the moment.

She struck a pose and admired the classical black and white maid uniform she wore. It was nothing new, but she definitely liked how it made her look.

She decided she could waste time admiring her dress later and continued on her way. She stopped at the door to Skyset’s room. Closed. She’d left it open… did that mean Skyset had left? She knocked on the door. “Ring ring, breakfast is calling.” she called out.

There was no response at the door after several moments, however if one were to listen closely, they might hear shifting, and perhaps a little more.

“Everything alright in there?” Rosette asked.

She didn’t get a response, but she could make out what sounded like labored breathing.

“I can respect if you need a little private time, but can you at least let me know if you’re alright?” Rosette called. “Just tell me to go away if you want.”

This was met with… even more silence. The heavy breathing just carried on, as if Rosette had never spoken.

“Alright, I’m coming in then…” Rosette called. She waited for a good few seconds for any sound of protest… when none came she opened the door and stepped in to see Skyset in what could only be described as the ‘upset pony crying in bed position’, head buried beneath her pillow as if to shut out the rest of the world. “...whoa… you okay?”

Skyset did not hear anything around her, but it was very evident of her crying by her body randomly heaving as she took in breaths.

Rosette sat on her haunches next to the bed. “You need a minute? Can I get you anything? Tissues, maybe?” she asked, offering a box of tissues in the red glow of her magic.

After another moment without response, Rosette decided maybe Skyset hadn’t heard her. She gently tapped the tissues against her shoulder to try and get her attention.

At this, Skyset’s body jerked in shock, and the pillow was immediately removed, and she found herself staring wide eyed at the vampiric unicorn. “I… wha- who???” she sputtered, unable to contain her surprise as she quickly tried to wipe her cheeks.

Rosette floated the box of tissues in front of her. “Tissue for your issue?”

Skyset took a few out of the box wordlessly and made some grotesque noises as she cleared her sinuses. She was still randomly gasping from the crying, but was trying to stop herself.

“You wanna talk about it?” Rosette asked, indirectly offering to lend an ear.

“I…” Skyset gasped once more, and tried to take a moment to collect herself. “I don’t… the magic and the… the… the lies and… and and my family… and I…” Skyset could not seem to form a coherent sentence as she broke down into sobs, unable to stop herself.

“Don’t think I understood that, but I’m gonna go out on a limb here and guess you’ve got a whole lot of different stuff that’s just kinda… boiling over?” Rosette tried.

Skyset only nodded, unable to stop herself from her crying.

“Need a hug..?” Rosette offered.

Skyset just nodded again.

With that, Rosette simply embraced the pegasus. She sat in silence for a while. “...it’s not your fault, you know? The way you thought and felt about… me I guess. It’s not like you knew any better… I think it’s pretty cool we can share a hug now… fast progress for somepony like you. That’s a thing to be proud of.” she noted, hoping that came across as encouraging and not condescending.

It took a few moments for Skyset to get herself composed enough to be able to speak. Even then, it wasn’t entirely calm, but better. “I… I I… we… they said you were… were… it was your fault… not you, but like… unicorns… and and… I just… none of it makes sense…”

“The world’s got a nasty habit of doing that whole not making sense thing sometimes.” Rosette agreed. “But friends and family can always be there to help you make sense of it. Those who really care about you will have your back.”

“No no no!” Skyset said, pulling back. “They they… they think the same thing! They don’t know… a-any of this! I can’t… t-talk about any of this!! They’ll think I’m c-crazy! I hit my head or something! And then there’s the magic, there’s just… is it reading my thoughts right now? What can I do to keep it out of my head? Are you? Do you see my mind?”

“Heheh. No, I don’t know that kind of magic.” Rosette said dismissively. “That’s some pretty restricted stuff. Not just anypony’s allowed to learn it… but I’ll tell you everything I can see and feel… your heart’s beating fast. Really fast. As a vampire, I’m like, super oversensitive to stuff like that… but I don’t need any freaky magic powers to see a pony having a hard time in need some reassurance. I can see that without it.”

Skyset took another moment to try and control her breathing as it started to become a bit more erratic. Once she had calmed down again, she finally spouted. “I-I don’t know if I want to go back…” she said, surprising herself even.

“Oh? But… what about your family? Surely you had friends… a life. Ponies you knew and loved. Wouldn’t you miss them?” Rosette asked.

“But I’d just be going back to… to… not… not this. I got friends, but they all think the same way, say the same things. How can I go back to living a lie?” Skyset questioned.

“You won’t.” Rosette said dismissively. “You’ll never be the same Skyset… you’ve changed. You’ll always know what was now… and I… kinda somehow doubt everything you did with your family or friends revolved around unicorns like me… or made up scary unicorns not like me. The Skyset that goes back will be a different mare than the one who left. Adventures have a tendency of doing that to ponies.”

“But… what good is any of that when nothing will change?” Skyset said. “I’m just one pony, and I’ll be the only one. Nopony to share those experiences with, and anypony I would won’t believe me. They’d probably label me as some sort of freak, or somepony who’s lost her mind.”

“You’re from the future, right? I can’t promise… but maybe someday, I’ll look you up. Vampires live a long time… if nothing happens to me before then… maybe?” Rosette suggested.

“Wait, what?” Skyset blinked. “Wouldn’t you be long dead? How long is a long time?”

“I don’t age. Twenty six. One o’ six. Two o’ six… I’m as old looking as I’m ever gonna get.” Rosette answered. “But y’know uh… never say never. Most ponies don’t plan their ends… and I could always like… get sick… or not be able to get the blood I need… or get hurt or something. Not planning on it, but I mean, a long time is a long time.”

“I’ve never heard of a vampire until I came here…” Skyset said, then worriedly looked up at Rosette.

“Yeah, that probably doesn't bode too well for ponies like me… I’ll admit.” Rosette chuckled dryly. “...we used to be hunted like monsters once… still are in some parts of the world. You say there’s no magic where you come from… vampires need magic rich blood… I can kind of see a bad deck of cards there… Lets hope I draw a lucky one, huh?”

Skyset pulled the unicorn into another hug. “I… I needed this. I hope you will be okay.”

“Guess I’ll find out one day… but you know? I bet you’re going to do just fine… maybe you coming here and seeing all this is part of something. Maybe one day you’ll change somepony else’s mind too.” Rosette said, hugging again.

“I can hope…” Skyset sighed. She pulled back again and smiled weakly. “I can also hope foods not cold, right?”

“Pff, at this rate we might want to make you some fresh ones… and hey… if you don’t see me again… or any of us. You’ll have this experience with you. We’ll live on in your heart.” Rosette said with a smile.

“I’m finding you. No buts.” Skyset said. And she meant it. She’d determined the first thing she’d do when she got home was some hefty research. She needed to know, and didn’t want to believe it would be impossible. She wouldn’t let it be.

Back in the dining room most of the household had already mostly finished breakfast, but had generally agreed to wait for Skyset.

“I’m starting to wonder if we should go see if Rosette got lost too.” Midnight mused.

“She’s been gone for like fifteen minutes.” Spearmint noted. The house was big, but she couldn’t imagine it would’ve taken too long to find one pony.

As if on cue, Rosette entered the room. “Our guest of honor has arrived.” she declared playfully.

Said pegasus entered the room, ears folded against her head. “Did you have to draw all the attention to me?” She huffed.

“With how late you are I don’t think anypony would’ve had to specifically draw attention to you. We were all wondering if you’d gotten lost or something.” Midnight noted.

“She was just getting ready and feeling a little sleepy this morning is all.” Rosette lied.

“I can relate.” Midnight said with a yawn.

Skyset shot Rosette a grateful look.“Anyway, sorry.” Skyset said with a small blush.

“S’all good.” Crimson said with a grin. “Just get somethin’ in you now.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” Skyset said, and took a seat.

“Probably a bit cooled down now, but hopefully still enjoyable.” Cinnamon noted.

“Yeah, well… I was the… uh… sleepyhead… right?” Skyset offered.

“It’s been a crazy couple of days.” Starlight agreed. “Hopefully whatever sleep you did get was okay.”

“Morning, Skyset.” Silver said, taking a final bite of waffle. He’d eaten a bit more than he probably should’ve and that’d slow him down for a little bit while he digested all of those delicious waffles… but it had been worth it.

Skyset took note of the ponies in the room. There was even a sparkly-eyed pegasus sitting there, remaining silent. He just nodded at her when she looked his way. She’d have to ask about those eyes if she ever got the chance. She turned back to Rosette to thank her, but noticed the flask around her neck. She wondered why she hadn’t noticed it before.

“Today’s possibly your last day in 2016, so… anything you wanna do or see today while you still have a chance?” Starlight asked. Twilight would probably scold her about giving her too much information she shouldn’t technically have access to, but that was future Starlight’s problem.

Skyset looked in thought for a moment. “Gosh… I… I don’t really know what there is to see…” she said after a moment. “I wouldn’t really know.”

“I don’t really know what’s around in your time and what’s not.” Starlight admitted. “But there’s always a lot of things to see around Canterlot… there’s Neighagara Falls, there’s the Crystal Empire, Las Pegasus…”

“I’m open to suggestions… feel free to pick, I suppose.” Skyset said, sincerely unsure, even with some options presented to her.

“You know, I’ve always wanted to go to Neighagra Falls…” Silver said in thought.

“Silver, we don’t even live that far from it and it’s not like we don’t have money, we can go there any time.” Midnight countered. “It should be something special to Skyset.”

“What would be special to Skyset in our time though?” Silver questioned.

Skyset looked down at her plate, picking at it. She wasn’t really sure what to suggest at all. It looks like they didn’t either. She’d rather end the fuss. “Y’know, I don’t really know if I’m up for a big adventure… got a lot goin’ on as is. Big day, yeah?” she ended her statement with a nervous chuckle.

“How about we just go hang out at the lake near Ponyville?” Spearmint suggested. “It’s nice and relaxing.”

“The lake is pretty nice…” Starlight said with a nod.

“We could go to the movies.” Silver added.

“Huh. Ye olde theatre, huh?” Skyset said. “Gosh, I should like… never… tell my parents. They’d never let me live it down.”

“Isn’t that new movie about the spy couple playing?” Starlight asked.

“Love & Gadgets 2?” Midnight questioned. “Yeah, it just came out last week.”

“Sweet.” Crimson said. “Movies sound fun. Just hope I don’t have to get up a lot like last time.”

“Does that sound like something you wanna do, Skyset?” Silver asked hopefully.

“I’m not really sure what else we would do, so I can’t say.” Skyset said. “Just lead the way to whatever.”

Silver Dreams, Crimson Tail, Spearmint, Cinnamon Stix, Midnight Sonnet, Fire Dancer, Starlight Glimmer, and Rosette Strings had gone to see the Love & Gadgets 2 movie.

The movie had opened up with a brief recap of the first movie where the unicorn and pegasus couple met, and continued on to establish their objective, a covert mission to the fictional kingdom of Brendi where they had to infiltrate and stop a super weapon they’d use to achieve world domination. It had been filled with action, cheesy one liners, and plenty of silly romantic moments between the couple.

After that, they’d boarded a train to Ponyville and had decided to relax at the lake. A few other ponies seemed to have the same idea, including a pink earth pony mare who’d flung herself into the air to catch a frisbee thrown by a rainbow maned pegasus.

“Go long!” the pink earth pony mare shouted before doing a little twirl and tossing the frisbee clear across the lake.

“Pinkie’s got one hay of a throw…” Starlight said, watching the two.

The rainbow maned pegasus zipped across the surface of the lake, showering water over the group in her wake. “Sorrygottacatchit!” she shouted.

Starlight spit out a mouthful of water. “Gee. Thanks, Rainbow Dash.” she grumbled. “Considerate as always.”

“Gooooosh.” Skyset whimpered. “Gonna have to fix my wings later…” she muttered, shaking said appendages out.

She then turned to Rosette. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask about something. I thought about making a bad joke out of it but I’m genuinely curious. Err… what’s up with the… canteen? Is it just for convenience?”

Rosette took a small drink from said canteen, briefly staining her lips red. She licked them clean as she put the lid back on it. “It’s my blood supply… well, some of it anyway. It has a few enchantments on it to preserve it a little. We tend to use them both for the preservation and convenience, and for the whole not being see-through thing. Some ponies get really squeamish or freaked out by... Well by blood. Even moreso by things that drink it.”

“Huh. That’s… clever. And here I was thinking your job was super frustrating.” Skyset said with a snicker.

“I’ve got some brownies for the extra rough days when I just wanna relax.” Rosette said with a smile. “Though I don’t tend to get into those when I have work to do.”

“If… vampires do still exist in my time… I wonder if any of them use those canteens.” Skyset said. “It’d be subtle enough to hide, I think.”

“Oh, probably. If there’s a better way to carry it I dunno what that’d be… maybe one of those silly straw saddlebag things. But that’s not really subtle.” Rosette said with a laugh.

Skyset just nodded, looking on over the lake. “This’d be a place I’d like to find again and just take a camping night out. Perfect environment for it.”

“I dunno if it’d still be here in 3021.” Starlight said, as she got out of the water and shook herself off. The sun was starting to set and she didn’t feel like tracking water and possibly mud into the castle. “Or if it looks the same if it is.”

Skyset chuckled. “I’m gonna assume… not.”

“Well, only one way to find out.” Silver said as he shook himself off as well. “You find your big probably-not-going-anywhere landmark… and orientate yourself… I’d suggest that.” he said, pointing to Canterlot. “I… dunno what the city looks like, but I don’t imagine the mountain is going anywhere.”

“This is gonna sound weird, but it honestly reminds me of Zephyr Heights.” Skyset mused. “A very close resemblance to home.”

Spearmint picked up the beach ball she’d been tossing around with Cinnamon and looked over to where the pink earth pony was currently catching the frisbee again. “Hey, Pinkie? Where did you want me to put this?”

“Oh! Just stash it in that bush over there!” the pink earth pony called.

“...Uh… why..?” Spearmint questioned in confusion.

“For beach ball emergencies.” Rainbow Dash and Starlight Glimmer said in unison before looking to each other.

“...no, it’s just so it doesn’t blow away, silly! What kind of emergency calls for beach balls?” Pinkie asked in genuine confusion.

“Not sure.” Crimson said, putting his two bits in. “Most of the time, half the stuff you hide around doesn’t call for an emergency. So you never can tell.”

“Of course it all calls for emergencies! You’ve just never been without when you had a need, clearly.” Pinkie said matter-of-factly. “Oh! Skyset! Skyset! I left a liiiiittle something for you with Twilight this morning. Sorry I couldn’t throw you a back-to-the-future-party, but I’ve already got two birthday parties to make work later…”

“Should I be scared?” Skyset whispered to Rosette.

“I have no idea.” Rosette whispered back.

“Suppose we should get going and see where Princess Bookworm has gotten.” Starlight said as she started for the castle.

The trip back to the castle was a fairly short one. They were greeted by Spike and promptly led into the throne room where Twilight sat with a variety of instruments attached to the artifact that’d displaced Skyset in time to begin with.

“Oh! You’re back… I hope you’ve all had a great day, because I certainly have! I’ve gotten it figured out… the downside is, I’m pretty sure the return trip will burn it up… it‘ll just be a hunk of rock… it’s damaged and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t designed to handle more than one trip in a year…” Twilight said with a frown. “A shame, if only it could be studied for longer…”

“I’d say it’s gone pretty good.” Starlight said with a smile. She looked over the organized chaos of papers covered in equations and notes Twilight had strewn about the table. “...I’ll never understand how you do this so fast… I’m good, but I’m not that good.”

“I don’t have a full understanding of it… just a way to basically put it in reverse…” Twilight admitted, sounding disappointed. “But the important thing is, Skyset has a way home now.”

“Yeah… great…!” Skyset said, and winced as she knew she sounded fake.

Twilight was far from oblivious to Skyset’s mood. “What’s wrong, Skyset? Don’t you want to go home?”

“I do…” Skyset said with a sigh. “But a lot of good things have happened now… and I’ll have to go back… to everypony hating each other again.” It wasn't a point that ponies really focused on. Most ponies had other things to worry about. But now that she knew it didn't have to be that way, her brain was fixated on the differences.

Twilight gave a sad smile. “I’ll be honest… I can’t imagine living in a world like that… but before Equestria was a kingdom where ponies got along, earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi fought and bickered, and warred with each other… I have to believe that if it happened once? It can happen again… things can always change. Maybe that change starts with you?”

“Yeah. Right.” Skyset sighed. “Me versus the whole of Equestria that thinks otherwise. Surely I won’t be the odd one out.”

“You never know.” Twilight said simply. “Before I came to Ponyville, I was just a magic student… maybe I would’ve amounted to some great magical discovery… and I have, but… my life has taken so many turns I never, ever in a million years could’ve seen coming… and Crimson, I think you were a mailpony before you were a royal guard weren’t you?”

“Yep, mailpony.” Crimson said.

“I was a waitress.” Spearmint added.

“I guess. I just… don’t want to lose out on what I just got. It feels so… so cruel…” Skyset said, starting to tear up a little.

“Saying goodbye is always hard… but where one door closes, another can open.” Starlight offered. “...I left my village behind when I came to live with Twilight… and the ponies I’d known there. Admittedly some of them probably don’t ever wanna see me again, but… it was rough moving to a new place after so long… but I’ve made a lot of new friends since I got here, and I probably wouldn’t have met you if it weren’t for it…” she explained, before awkwardly adding ”...or if I did I probably would’ve tried to steal your cutie mark and fill your head with crazy propaganda about some misguided version of equality or something.” with a nervous laugh.

Skyset raised an eyebrow. “Do I even want to know?”

“I’ve done some terrible things I’m not proud of.” Starlight said sheepishly.

“But you’re a better pony now.” Twilight added, clearing her throat.

“But I’m a better pony now.” Starlight parroted, knowing that’s what Twilight wanted to hear. She knew it was true, but sometimes a part of her felt that it didn’t make up for the past.

Twilight levitated a pink box tied with cyan ribbon over to Skyset in the magenta glow of her magic. “Pinkie Pie left this for you a couple hours ago, by the way.”

“I’m scared.” Skyset said, but took it anyway. “Am I supposed to open it now?”

“Up to you.” Twilight answered. “You can open it now, or you can open it later if you want.”

“I’m kinda curious…” Starlight admitted. She had no idea what Pinkie could’ve possibly gotten the pegasus. She didn’t recall Pinkie even meeting her before their trip to the lake. What on Earth could it be?

Skyset opted to open the container now. She put a hoof to her mouth upon viewing the contents. “Oh… oh my goshhh…” she gasped, staring at a photograph inside. She then noticed something behind the photograph. She pulled it out. It appeared to be a note… written in crayon, of all things. She read the note.

Hey Skyset! Too bad I didn’t get to meet you properly! I’m sure we would’ve been the bestest of best friends in a heart beat, I mean like, lickety-split, two peas in a pod, three fillies covered in tree sap! When I heard your story from Twillight, I thought that was super duper sad… you’d be going away and have to leave all your new friends behind… so I decided I’d stick this photo I snapped of you, Starlight, and Fluttershy at the pizza place when I was out on one of my Super Duper Top Secret Pinkie Pie Party Planning Reconnaissance Missions (Patent Pending!!!) so that you’ll have something to remember them by! I just know you’ll love it. Say hi to my future grand foals if you meet them!

XOXO

~Pinkie Pie

Skyset put the note back inside and gently set the box down. The photo made her want to burst with emotion right then and there. She didn’t really feel like she even deserved all this attention anyway, and every time she turned around, there were just more surprises. “I… I don’t even…” She stammered, then chuckled. "A little creepy, but... sweet at the same time?"

The orange pegasus felt a bit overwhelmed. When she first arrived… just a couple days ago… she’d been so fearful of other kinds of ponies. Worried that unicorns might mind control her or something, and being fearful of what earth ponies might try to do if they got too close. Then she came to learn that everypony just… seemed to get along, for the most part. Earth ponies were actually kind of nice, and unicorns didn’t seem so bad either. She’d even met other kinds as well, and they were all friendly.

Skyset especially thought of Starlight Glimmer, Honey Spark, and Rosette Strings, the latter of which she’d been really enjoying the company of for the past several hours. Once she put aside that they weren’t pegasi, it was really just like talking with any other pony. These ponies especially were patient and understanding, even if Skyset’s stories about unicorns stealing magic seemed farfetched to them. It meant a lot to her that they’d take the time to understand her and still try to help her out.

Starlight gazed at the photo for a long moment before smiling. Maybe it was a little weird knowing that Pinkie had who knew how many random photos of her doing who knew what stashed away somewhere… but for once, she was glad Pinkie was such a snoop. That was possibly the sweetest gift she could think of… and she probably wouldn’t have even thought of it herself. “How cool is that…” she said, beaming.

“Leave it to Pinkie Pie to come up with something like that.” Twilight said with a laugh.

“Gaaaah! This sucks so much!” Skyset said aloud. “I love it… I hate these feelings… why can’t it just be easy?”

There was a long pause before Twilight spoke up. “...not to spoil the moment… but… do you think we should move things along before something else makes this any harder?” she asked sympathetically.

“Ooh! If I wait long enough will it become impossible?” Skyset said dryly. “No… I shouldn’t throw away your work. Besides… I don’t… b-bel…” Skyset couldn’t finish the sentence, and started to silently cry, the roller coaster of emotions still hitting her, and that she’d never see these ponies again. She thought it strange. She hadn’t known them for long, but everything was just so different, and they were all there for her in her time of need.

Rosette pulled her into a hug. “You’re gonna be alright…” she whispered softly.

Skyset took a moment, but eventually composed herself and nodded. She looked towards everypony there and smiled weakly. “Have good lives, you weirdos…” she said. “Cuz you probably won’t be around.”

“You too, Skyset.” Starlight said warmly. “It’s been a lot of fun… well, when we weren’t fighting a dark magic possessed pony to get the artifact back anyway.”

“I promise if I'm still around, we’ll meet again.” Rosette said with conviction.

Skyset nodded. “Alright, please hurry before I let my emotions get the better of me and I try to run away or something stupid.” She said, chuckling dryly.

Twilight’s horn flared and several of the instruments attached to the artifact whirred to life. A series of bright flashes assaulted the assembled ponies’ eyes from the artifact as it began to vibrate and hum before erupting into a sputtering golden aura that refused to stay steady and occasionally sparked. “I don’t know how long it’ll last, so be quick, grab your stuff and put your hoof on it!”

Skyset gathered everything she had… which wasn’t much, and turned once again to the others. She shut her eyes tightly, tears dripping from them as she turned and reached to touch the object.

And just like that, with a flash… she was gone. The only evidence she’d ever been being the scattered papers and equipment and the smell of ozone.

Starlight Glimmer sat on the edge of Twillight’s bed as the alicorn came back with a cup of tea for each of them. “We really don’t have to do this…” Starlight tried.

“I wish that were true, Starlight… but I need you to make good on what we talked about. I can’t be allowed to remember what was wrong with her.” Twilight said patiently. “You have to erase it. Nothing else… just the discovery about her magic. You can do this.”

“If I turn you into a vegetable, I’m never going to live this down…” Starlight said with a gulp. She took a deep breath. “H-how do we wanna do this?”

“...I’m just going to sit here… start when you’re ready… you’ve got this, Starlight.” Twilight said with full confidence.

“...and you’re really sure you want to let the mare who basically brainwashed a village and stole your cutie mark go poking around in your head?” Starlight asked, hoping that by some chance Twilight would reconsider.

“I am.” Twilight answered without a hint of hesitation.

“...I-I’ve done nothing to earn that kind of trust from you. Not from anypony.” Starlight said shakily.

“You’ve done all that you’ve needed to do… it’s time you put those doubts behind you and move forward. Please, Starlight… let’s do this together. Who better to handle this than one of my closest friends?” Twilight asked, before taking a drink of her tea.

“Pretty sure most friends don’t ask to have the other get rid of memories… b-but whatever… alright…” Starlight said as her horn lit up. “Get comfortable I guess…”

The spell took maybe thirty seconds in total, but it felt like an eternity to Starlight. She saw bits and pieces of Twilight’s memories from the past couple of days, but did her best to stay out of anything she wasn’t meant to see… then she began to change things. A lapse in memory here. A mis-remembering elsewhere… the gist of the story was all there… but there wasn’t a chance Twilight would remember what she might’ve done… what she might still do one day.

That would forever be Starlight Glimmer’s secret to keep… and while she didn’t know it at the time, it would only be the first of many secrets she would be entrusted with.

Author's Note

Sorry it took me so long to get this out, just had a lot going on and I've forgotten to post it!